Discover the World’s Top 10 Engineering Universities for 2025, Ranked by Times Higher Education
A Look at the Top 10 Global Universities for Engineering in 2025
| Engineering Rank 2025 | Engineering Rank 2024 | University | Country/Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Harvard University | United States |
| 2 | 2 | Stanford University | United States |
| 3 | 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States |
| 4 | 4 | University of Oxford | United Kingdom |
| 5 | 6 | University of California, Berkeley | United States |
| 6 | 5 | University of Cambridge | United Kingdom |
| 7 | 7 | California Institute of Technology | United States |
| 8 | 8 | Princeton University | United States |
| 9 | 9 | National University of Singapore | Singapore |
| 10 | 11 | ETH Zurich | Switzerland |
Explore the full rankings for the best engineering universities
Choosing to study engineering is a great move for students focused on their careers, and universities worldwide offer top-tier programs.
Most students pick a degree in a specific engineering field. Popular specializations include civil engineering, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering.
Times Higher Education’s 2025 engineering and technology rankings include 1,488 universities from over 97 countries.
While the highest-ranked schools are in the U.S. and U.K., universities in Singapore, China, and Switzerland also perform exceptionally well.
China has the second-highest number of ranked universities, ahead of the U.K., Germany, Australia, and Canada. Only the U.S. has more institutions on the list.
The ranking follows the same method as THE’s World University Rankings but places more emphasis on innovation and less on citations. Check out the full methodology here.
Top 10 Universities for Engineering Degrees
1. Harvard University
Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is its newest school, founded in 2007. Its origins trace back to the Lawrence Scientific School (1847).
The school covers diverse fields like:
- Applied mathematics
- Bioengineering
- Computer science
- Electrical engineering
- Environmental science & engineering
- Materials science & mechanical engineering
2. Stanford University
Stanford’s School of Engineering has been a leader in tech and innovation for over a century.
Research focuses on major global challenges, including:
- Bioengineering
- Cybersecurity
- Climate change
- Robotics
- Healthcare accessibility
- Data analysis
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT’s School of Engineering is its largest division, offering undergrad and postgraduate programs with a strong research focus.
Departments include:
- Aeronautics & astronautics
- Biological engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Nuclear science & engineering
4. University of Oxford
Oxford offers a four-year engineering science degree, with specializations from the third year in:
- Biomedical
- Chemical
- Civil
- Electrical
- Information
- Mechanical engineering
About half of applicants reach interviews, with 15% securing a spot. Graduates often become engineers, consultants, or pursue further studies.
5. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley’s College of Engineering (1931) is among its 14 schools. Specializations include:
- Civil & environmental engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Nuclear engineering
Notable alumni:
- Steve Wozniak (Apple co-founder)
- Marc Tarpenning (Tesla co-founder)
- Andrew Ng (Coursera co-founder)
6. University of Cambridge
Cambridge’s four-year engineering program starts broad before allowing specializations like:
- Aerospace engineering
- Bioengineering
- Electrical engineering
- Energy & sustainability
Six postgraduate programs are available, both taught and research-based.
7. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Three of Caltech’s six divisions focus on engineering:
- Biology & biological engineering
- Chemistry & chemical engineering
- Engineering & applied science
Undergrads choose a major after their first year, with five engineering tracks plus an interdisciplinary option.
Despite its small size, Caltech is known for ambition and innovation.
8. Princeton University
Princeton’s School of Engineering and Applied Science offers programs in:
- Computer science
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical & aerospace engineering
Famous alumni:
- Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder)
- Eric Schmidt (ex-Google CEO)
9. National University of Singapore (NUS)
Asia’s top engineering school, NUS formed its College of Design and Engineering (2022) by merging two faculties.
Programs include:
- Biomedical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil & environmental engineering
10. ETH Zurich
One of the world’s leading science and tech universities, ETH Zurich offers undergrad programs in:
- Civil engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Materials science
Postgrad options include nuclear and quantum engineering.
Notable alumni: Albert Einstein (Nobel laureate and relativity pioneer).
