STEM programs are offered at colleges across the U.S. They provide students with the knowledge and skills to enter some of the best-paying and most in-demand career paths. STEM bachelor's degree programs cover science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects, which also include the hard sciences, such as:
- computer science
- data science
- mechanical engineering
- chemical engineering
- aerospace engineering
STEM majors primarily focus on physical sciences, but these programs aren't devoid of humanities or social science courses, even if these soft sciences aren't included as STEM disciplines.
The best colleges for STEM undergraduate and graduate degree programs offer various educational paths, and some will be better for individual STEM disciplines than others. There are many factors when considering a career in STEM fields and determining the best university for your degree program is just the start.
Top STEM Colleges in the U.S.
Nearly every university and community college in the country offers degree programs in the STEM fields, although some schools make their science, tech, math, and engineering programs the focal point of their higher education offerings. STEM students must consider several factors when selecting schools.
Primarily, students must consider the focus of their program at a given school. Some schools excel in robotics and mechanical engineering, while others focus on biology and life sciences — what makes a school best for one student may not be as important to another.
Students should also consider college admissions statistics and details, including admission rates and requirements. Schools with highly competitive admissions are often among the best schools, but it will be harder to enroll. Check for accreditation as this can affect your eligibility for financial aid programs.
Review what the school offers after admission. STEM disciplines are hands-on, so the best STEM universities are those with research opportunities and other real-world learning experiences. Look at teacher-to-student ratios, class sizes, and extracurricular offerings. You also might want to learn about opportunities for graduate students, if you want to further your education.
Finally, review graduation rates and the debts that students graduate with. Schools with high graduation rates often provide more support opportunities and have better retention rates.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, located in Cambridge, MA, is ranked as the second-best university in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. It also ranks in the top five for seven different engineering programs. MIT has a low acceptance rate, but approximately 89% of students complete their bachelor's degree program, with 70% of these being STEM-related degree programs. MIT is a private institution with a diverse offering of student support services, including research opportunities.
2. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is a private university that offers undergraduate students opportunities to participate in one of the top-ranking engineering programs in the U.S. The school is located in Terre Haute, IN, and has equal acceptance and graduation rates at 73%. According to U.S. News and World Report, the school is the best undergraduate engineering program for schools that don't have doctoral studies, topping the rankings for civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering and coming in at number three for computer engineering.
3. California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly)
Cal Poly is located in San Luis Obispo, CA, and has one of the top college of engineering schools in the nation. The school has a 30% acceptance rate, which is fairly competitive, but not as strict as other STEM schools in California. About 53% of the students who graduate from Cal Poly are from STEM programs. The school is located near Silicon Valley and offers easier access to internships.
4. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
The Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, MA, a few hours outside of Boston. WPI has a 57% acceptance rate and doesn't have a minimum GPA or require ACT or SAT scores. The school's top academic programs are mechanical engineering, computer science, and bioengineering. About 89% of all students graduate from WPI, well above the 49% national average.
5. University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas)
The University of Texas at Dallas is a public university located in Richardson, TX. The school has an 85% acceptance rate. It is primarily a liberal arts college, but 37% of graduates completed STEM programs, with computer science and biology being the two most popular majors among some recent graduating classes. UT Dallas has a 56% graduation rate for all degree programs.
6. Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech)
The Illinois Institute of Technology, sometimes called Illinois Tech, is a private institution located in Chicago. Here, 91% of the graduates at Illinois Tech are in direct STEM fields, with 68% of them in engineering and computer science. Illinois Tech has a 61% acceptance rate and a 38% graduation rate.
7. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
The Rochester Insitute of Technology is a private, research institute with a 67% acceptance rate. At RIT, 65% of graduates at RIT complete STEM programs with engineering and computer science as the top choices for majors. Also, 72% of students who attend RIT utilize some form of financial aid benefits package.
8. Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech)
Michigan Technological University, often shortened to Michigan Tech, has a 70% graduation rate, with 63% of graduates completing an engineering program. The school is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and offers many life science degree programs like natural resources, conservation, and biological studies.
9. Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech)
Florida Tech is located in Melbourne, FL, less than an hour from Cape Canaveral. As a result of this location, Aerospace engineering is the most common major studied at the school. Florida Tech has a 64% acceptance rate and students are given a chance to work on research projects and in internships with organizations like NASA.
10. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
The New Jersey Institute of Technology has an overall graduation rate of 48%, and roughly 90% of graduates complete a STEM degree program. The computer science and engineering programs make up 68% of all graduates. The school's 66% acceptance rate gives students a good chance of acceptance to their chosen program.
FAQs About the Best STEM Schools
STEM programs are offered at schools across the country, but some schools specialize in them. High school students and professionals looking to go back to school have questions about STEM schools.
What Is the Best Value STEM College?
Determining the value of an education can be hard. Some sources say Harvard University is the best-value university due to the high earning potential of its graduates, while others identify schools like Brigham Young University, due to low in-state tuition rates.
What Is the Best STEM Degree To Get?
The best STEM degree is very subjective. Most STEM degrees can lead to high-paying careers, and the field is so vast it's hard to evaluate disparate fields of study, like nature science and mechanical engineering. The best STEM degree is the one that you are interested in and that you're qualified for.
Can Any University Compete With MIT?
MIT is often the top school for STEM majors, but many other schools offer high-quality education with higher acceptance rates and lower tuition. Many other technological and research universities across the country provide top-tier STEM degrees.
What Careers Can I Pursue With a STEM Degree?
STEM degree holders can become engineers in fields like robotics, aerospace manufacturing, and more. Other popular STEM fields include biology, computer science, and mechanical engineering.
Find the Best STEM Colleges Near You
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