Engineering programs are accredited by ABET, Inc. and prepare students for a wide variety of careers within multiple industries. Design engineers use their engineering abilities to find solutions to real world problems, often having to meet time and budget constraints.
Schools with Programs Related to Design Engineering
The table below lists some of the schools that offer degree programs in civil, electrical, mechanical and/or architectural engineering, as well as their location, offered degrees and average tuition.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Tuition (2015-2016)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $10,158 (in-state, undergraduate), $10,610 (in-state, graduate) |
| Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $10,037 (in-state, undergraduate), $11,560 (in-state, graduate) |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $6,381 (in-state, undergraduate), $10,770 (in-state, graduate) |
| University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $13,790 (in-state, undergraduate), $15,844 (in-state, graduate) |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $6,368 (in-state, undergraduate), $6,916 (in-state, graduate) |
| University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $9,806 (in-state, undergraduate), $10,934 (in-state, graduate) |
| Texas A&M University | College Station, TX | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $10,176 (in-state, undergraduate), $5,598 (in-state, graduate) |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $13,560 (in-state, undergraduate), $16,122 (in-state, graduate) |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $6,410 (in-state, undergraduate), $8,350 (in-state, graduate) |
| Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral | $17,514 (in-state, undergraduate), $19,328 (in-state, graduate) |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
School Selection Criteria
Further considerations for students in this field:
- Engineering design is incorporated into multiple branches of engineering, including mechanical, electrical, civil and architectural; make sure the type of engineering you are interested in is offered in programs you apply to.
- The standard credential needed for entry-level engineering positions is a bachelor's degree from an accredited engineering program, while students seeking to conduct engineering research or teach need to complete a master's degree or Ph.D. program.
- Engineers who plan to offer their services directly to the public must pass a licensure exam to become a professional engineer, so students interested in this occupation will need to select a program that prepares them for earning that credential.
- Students seeking advanced degrees in design engineering should also be concerned with opportunities for research, such as a thesis, special projects or original research, as part of the degree program.
Program Information
Regardless of the discipline, engineering bachelor's degree programs have extensive foundational requirements in advanced mathematics and science, such as calculus, differential equations, physics and chemistry. Students typically complete these requirements in their first two years, along with foundational engineering coursework before moving onto more advanced discipline-specific courses.
Master's degree programs are often more specified in topic, such as energy engineering within mechanical engineering. These two-year programs have some course requirements, but also allow for some flexibility. Ph.D. programs are largely research-based and conclude with the completion of a doctoral dissertation, an original work of research.
Design engineering is a broad field the covers several areas of engineering. Students wanting to start or advance their careers should pick a school that will provide them with the undergraduate or graduate education needed to work in fields such as civil, mechanical, electrical or architectural engineering.
