Updated at: 07-04-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

The demand for engineers is skyrocketing as the world becomes increasingly dependent on technology. It’s crucial to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to comprehend and expand upon the work of their predecessors. They have the background from their education and research to take on the most pressing problems facing society today and find solutions. Therefore, the number of engineers in the labor force has increased by 1.4% from 2018 to 2019, and this trend is anticipated to maintain its upward momentum in the coming years.

The increasing demand for engineers necessitates that top universities provide adequate resources for these students. Texas is a leading innovator in many fields, including the energy sector, biomedical technology, and even aerospace applications. In 2019, Texas has more than 240,000 engineers, making it the third-highest concentration in the country. This is due to the state’s many top-tier engineering schools and thriving tech industry.

The best engineering programs encourage students to push the boundaries of knowledge by combining theoretical understanding with hands-on experience and personal perspective. Faculty members at these institutions are among the best in their fields. In addition to having the best rankings among nationally accredited institutions, they also have the best learning facilities, student resources, and distinctive programs.

The best universities in Texas are renowned centers of scholarship that push scientific and technological boundaries. Their students benefit greatly from these extensive research opportunities.

Without further ado, the top engineering schools in Texas are listed below. These institutions are recognized nationally by US News and are among the best in the country.

Best Engineering Schools In Texas

Best engineering schools in texas

Rice University

If you’re set on earning a degree in engineering, it’s hard to do better than Rice University. Rice is a private, non-profit institution that serves a sizable portion of Houston’s population. Rice University is a fantastic institution, as evidenced by its Best Colleges ranking of #23 out of 2,241 universities across the country.

In the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 355 Rice undergraduates earned degrees in engineering. Graduates of Rice University’s School of Engineering have a $5,522 annual salary advantage over their peers in the field.

Texas A&M University – College Station

Texas A&M University, College Station

Texas A&M University – College Station should be on the radar of any student considering an engineering major. The city of College Station, Texas is about average in size, and Texas A&M University–College Station is a large public university there. Texas A&M University–College Station is a fantastic institution with a Best Colleges ranking of #55 out of 2,241 colleges and universities in the United States.

In the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 3,306 students majoring in engineering graduated from Texas A&M University–College Station. Texas A&M University – College Station offers its engineering graduates a salary that is $7,635 higher than the national average.

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson is home to UT Dallas, a large public university. With a Best Colleges ranking of #192 out of 2,241 institutions, UT Dallas is a highly regarded educational institution.

In the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 1031 students studied engineering at UT Dallas and graduated with a degree in the field. Graduates of the engineering program at The University of Texas at Dallas earn an average of $9,044 more than the national average for college graduates with their degree.

University of Houston

University of Houston College of Medicine - Houston

UH is a large public institution that serves the Houston area. With a Best Colleges ranking of #290 out of 2,241 institutions, UH is among the best in the country.

In the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 944 students majoring in engineering graduated from UH. University of Houston engineering graduates can expect an average salary increase of $5,545.

University of North Texas College of Engineering

In the College of Engineering at UNT, both students and faculty have access to numerous research opportunities. The university’s cutting-edge labs helped them earn a Carnegie classification as a top-tier, doctoral-granting institution. This recognition is given to universities that serve as engines of innovation by conducting groundbreaking research that has broad societal impacts.

Their 290-acre Discovery Park is the birthplace of groundbreaking innovations like a ventilator splitter that can be 3-dimensionally printed to relieve pressure on healthcare facilities. In just two days, the UNT group went from brainstorming to finished product.

UNT is a pioneer in the movement toward a greener, more energy-efficient future, despite Texas’s reputation for innovation in the oil and gas industry. Their Mechanical and Energy Engineering program is the first of its kind in the country, and its graduates will be at the forefront of the sustainability industry’s explosive growth.

Southern Methodist University Lyle School of Engineering

Southern Methodist University’s Lyle School of Engineering prepares its students to follow in the footsteps of the school’s illustrious alumnus and namesake, Dr. Bobby Lyle. Lyle has been a leader in the petroleum and natural gas industry for over 25 years as the founder of Lyco Energy Corporation, and he currently serves on the Engineering Executive Board to help students even more.

With access to Texas’s solitary Environmental Engineering program, students in Lyle can also plan for a sustainable future. This area of expertise is in high demand across sectors as global warming-related problems multiply.

SMU’s Industry Scholars program was the first of its kind in the South and Southwest. 84% of students participate in internships, and 82% are employed after graduation, thanks in large part to the school’s long-standing relationships with businesses across Texas.

University of Texas, Arlington College of Engineering

University of Texas, Arlington College of Engineering

One of the most extensive engineering programs in North Texas can be found at the University of Texas at Arlington, which boasts seven departments and more than 7,000 students. They offer a wide variety of programs, including some that aren’t as common as others, like degrees in architecture and aerospace engineering.

The Aerodynamics Research Center provides a research facility on the UT Arlington campus. Supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels, as well as other NASA-donated tools, are located in this one-of-a-kind lab for fluid dynamics and propulsion research.

The faculty at UT Arlington have made significant contributions to their respective fields, and are widely regarded for their expertise. Professor David Hunn, a UTA alumnus, was recently inducted into the National Academy of Inventors alongside eighteen of his former professors. He attributes his current position as Lockheed Martin’s director of technology and innovation to the time he spent developing his critical thinking and leadership skills at UT Arlington.

University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering

For good reason, UT Austin is at the top here; the Academic Ranking of World Universities places it at #5 worldwide. Four National Medal winners and one Nobel Prize winner are among the distinguished faculty at the Cockrell School of Engineering.

The Nobel Committee acknowledged the contributions of mechanical engineering and material science professor John B. Goodenough to the creation of the lithium-ion battery. Three individuals who have been awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation are available as mentors to engineering students.

The University of Texas at Austin not only provides a world-class education, but also works hard to place its graduates in rewarding engineering careers. The Student Engineering Council represents the student body and organizes the Fall Engineering EXPO, which is the largest career fair in the country that is entirely student-run.

Texas Tech

In a state where football reigns supreme, Texas Tech University’s basketball team nearly won the 2019 NCAA Basketball Championship. There are over 30,000 students who call Texas Tech their home, and they all share a deep devotion to the Red Raiders.

About 12 undergraduate majors and 3 minors are available to students at the Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. College of Engineering. Students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture simultaneously through a joint program offered by the Colleges of Engineering and Architecture.

Trinity University

Trinity University

Trinity University, founded in 1869, is a private, coeducational institution of higher education in the liberal arts and sciences in San Antonio, Texas. Trinity is a Presbyterian-affiliated university that provides undergraduate education in 47 different fields of study. The First-Year Experience Program is a required 6-credit course for all incoming freshmen. During this time, freshmen gather for lectures, student conferences, and library study sessions. All students are provided with free nachos and agua fresca throughout the academic year. Trinity students can easily visit downtown San Antonio, home to popular tourist destinations like the Alamo and the River Walk, when they need a break from campus life.

Baylor University

Baylor University is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas, having been founded in 1845 by the Baptist General Convention of Texas. There are 128 different majors that lead to a bachelor’s degree at Baylor. Chapel services are held twice a week at Baylor because it is a Christian institution. Baylor Student Productions hosts several campus-wide events throughout the year, including the annual All-University Sing and StompFest.

LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University, found in the Texas city of Longview, is a Christian-affiliated, private polytechnic university. In addition to serving the educational needs of its traditional student body, LETU also runs centers in Longview, Dallas, and Houston that cater to the educational needs of nontraditional students. Mechanical engineering is the most popular major, followed by elementary education and then aeronautics and aviation technology. Students in the engineering program are developing human-powered water pumps for farmers in third-world countries as part of the school’s commitment to sustainability.

St. Mary’s University

St. Mary’s University in San Antonio is a Catholic liberal arts institution founded in 1852 by the Society of Mary. St. Mary’s is the oldest Catholic university in Texas, and it offers degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in more than seventy-five different disciplines. St. John’s Bible, which was written and illuminated by hand, is displayed in St. Louis Hall, and daily mass is held in Assumption Chapel, reflecting the school’s Catholic identity. The Fiesta Oyster Bake is an annual weekend-long festival held in St. Mary’s that features performances by a number of different touring bands.

FAQs

Where are the best undergraduate engineering programs in Texas?

The undergraduate engineering programs at The University of Texas at Austin are the best in the state of Texas. Some of the best undergraduate engineering programs in Texas can be found at the University of Texas at Austin, including those in environmental engineering and petroleum engineering.

Is Texas good for engineering?

The engineering industry does well in Texas. It is home to a number of prestigious institutions of higher education, including Texas A&M University, Rice University, Baylor University, the University of Houston, and the University of North Texas. Staying close to home could be beneficial to your job search, as Texas is home to many industry-leading technology companies.

What are the duties of A Mechanical Engineer?

When it comes to engineering fields, mechanical engineering is up there with the broadest and most varied. There is a wide range of responsibilities that fall under a mechanical engineer’s purview, depending on his area of expertise.

Engine components, aircraft engines, compressors, prosthetic devices, control systems, disk drives, gas turbines, robots, wind turbines, printers, sensors, machine tools, and semiconductor tools are just some of the products that mechanical engineers design and develop.

Mechanical engineers oversee the production process and investigate issues to determine if a mechanized tool can provide a solution.

They also create blueprints for mechanical devices and design or redesign such devices. A mechanical engineer’s skill set also includes prototyping, testing, analyzing, and iterating on a device’s design.

Some mechanical engineers find rewarding and fulfilling careers in government service, while others prefer to work in the private sector.

How long does it take to complete a mechanical engineering program in Texas?

In Texas, USA, students can choose from a number of prestigious universities that award bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering.

It takes four to five years to earn a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at a Texas university, and this degree is required for professional licensure in the state.

It takes between two and three years to finish a master’s degree program in mechanical engineering in Texas.

Writing and defending a thesis distinguishes the PhD program in mechanical engineering from all others. It would take about five years of full-time study to finish the program in Texas.

Conclusion

When it comes to engineering education, Texas is unrivaled. It’s fantastic news if you’re accepted into one of these courses. You don’t have to graduate from one of the top six engineering schools to find a good job in the field if engineering is something you’re interested in studying. More important than the specific school you end up attending to earn your engineering degree is finding the right fit for you on all fronts.