85 Best PhD Engineering Programs in the United States

There are 85 PhD Engineering programs in the United States, spread across 36 universities; the most common length is 4–6 years. Courses from Princeton University, Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Notre Dame come first, because those universities rank highest.

Subject

Level

University type

Location

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Universities 36 Programs 85 Scholarships 0

25PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Mechanical Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology — Overview of the PhD in Mechanical EngineeringThe PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology is designed for students who seek to advance knowledge a...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

26PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Mechanical Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology — The PhD program in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology offers an in-depth study of the principles of mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, a...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

27PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Nuclear Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology — The PhD program in Nuclear Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology prepares students for advanced research, development, and scholarly contributions in the fie...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

28PhD / Doctorate

QS World #123 #31 in United States United States

Robotics

Georgia Institute of Technology — The Doctorate in Robotics at Georgia Institute of Technology offers an interdisciplinary approach to research and development in robotics and automation. This program del...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

29PhD / Doctorate

QS World #294 #72 in United States United States

Computer Science and Engineering: Ph.D.

University of Notre Dame — The Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame is an advanced program designed to equip students with in-depth knowledge and research skill...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

30PhD / Doctorate

QS World #428 #93 in United States United States

Doctorate in Civil Engineering

University of Colorado at Denver — The Doctorate in Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado at Denver is a rigorous program designed for aspiring civil engineering professionals who seek to make si...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

31PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Aeronautical Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Aeronautical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute delves deep into the principles of flight, focusing on advanced design and analysis of aircraft an...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

32PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Chemical Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD program in Chemical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute provides an in-depth exploration of the subject, merging advanced theoretical concepts with pr...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

33PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Civil Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD program in Civil Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is designed for individuals seeking to advance their knowledge and expertise in various areas of...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

34PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Computer and Systems Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Computer and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is designed for students who seek to make significant contributions to the fields of compu...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

35PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers an unparalleled interdisciplinary approach to understanding complex decisi...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

36PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Electrical Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — The PhD in Electrical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an advanced program designed for those seeking to contribute to the field through research and in...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

37PhD / Doctorate

QS World #494 #118 in United States United States

Environmental Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — Program OverviewThe PhD in Environmental Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offers an in-depth exploration of the environmental challenges facing our world t...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

38PhD / Doctorate

QS World #574 #155 in United States United States

Civil Engineering

Florida International University — The PhD in Civil Engineering at Florida International University offers a comprehensive program designed for students interested in advanced research and innovation in ci...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

39PhD / Doctorate

QS World #574 #155 in United States United States

Civil Engineering (Ph.D.)

Florida International University

PhD / DoctorateLevel

—Duration

Full TimeMode

—Intake

Engineering

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40PhD / Doctorate

QS World #575 #156 in United States United States

Chemical Engineering, Ph.D.

University of South Carolina — Overview of the Ph.D. in Chemical EngineeringThe Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina-Columbia offers students a comprehensive approach to re...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

41PhD / Doctorate

#182 in United States United States

Aerospace Engineering

University of Kentucky — The PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Kentucky offers an advanced exploration into the design, analysis, and application of aerospace systems. The curricu...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

42PhD / Doctorate

#184 in United States United States

Aerospace Engineering

University of Tennessee, Knoxville — The PhD in Aerospace Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and applica...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

43PhD / Doctorate

#185 in United States United States

Aerospace Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy

University of Cincinnati — The Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is designed for students with a passion for aircraft and spacecraft design,...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

44PhD / Doctorate

#185 in United States United States

Chemical Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy

University of Cincinnati — Course OverviewThe Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering program at the University of Cincinnati provides a comprehensive and rigorous education for students seeki...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

45PhD / Doctorate

#223 in United States United States

Aerospace Engineering

University of Texas at Arlington

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

46PhD / Doctorate

#223 in United States United States

Aerospace Engineering

University of Texas at Arlington

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

47PhD / Doctorate

#229 in United States Richardson, Texas, United States

Computer Engineering

The University of Texas at Dallas — The PhD in Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas offers a deep dive into the complexities of computer systems and the integration of hardware and soft...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

48PhD / Doctorate

#229 in United States Richardson, Texas, United States

Electrical Engineering

The University of Texas at Dallas — Overview of the PhD in Electrical EngineeringThe PhD program in Electrical Engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas is designed to develop independent researchers...

PhD / DoctorateLevel

4–6 yearsDuration

Full TimeMode

FallIntake

Engineering

View program → About the university

Engineering at other levels

Bachelor's Engineering Diploma Engineering Master's Engineering Professional Engineering

Popular collections

Bachelor's Programs Social Sciences & Psychology Programs Business & Management Programs Medicine & Health Sciences Programs Master's Programs Education Programs Bachelor's Social Sciences & Psychology Programs Engineering Programs Computer Science & IT Programs Bachelor's Business & Management Programs

How these courses are ranked

7 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #15 (Princeton University) to #575 (University of South Carolina); they are listed first, in that order. The rest are ordered by research impact. Princeton University has the largest research record in this group, with 27,547,724 citations and an h-index of 1,557. 2 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Levels, lengths and start dates

The usual length is 4–6 years and null. 99% are full-time. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake). Georgia Institute of Technology offers the widest choice, with 16 of these courses.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best university in the United States for PhD Engineering?

Princeton University (QS World #15), Georgia Institute of Technology (QS World #123) and University of Notre Dame (QS World #294) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for PhD Engineering in the United States?

Of those with published fees, Kent State University at Kent is the least expensive at about USD 23,082 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How long does a PhD Engineering course take in the United States?

Most listed courses run 4–6 years, with null the next most common.

When do PhD Engineering courses start in the United States?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then.

Which university has the most PhD Engineering courses in the United States?

Georgia Institute of Technology, with 16, ahead of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (7).

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