Best Colleges for Electrical Engineering in USA

Are you looking for information on the Best Colleges for Electrical Engineering in USA? Don’t worry, we have got you covered with a detailed article. Electrical engineering is one of the highest-paying jobs worldwide. It is projected to grow by 7 percent by 2032. At the best colleges for electrical engineering in USA, you will have access to a wide range of courses. Whether you are interested in power generation, circuits, or using equipment, there is something for everyone.

Studying in the USA can help you shape a better future for yourself. You will receive quality education and support to achieve your goals. In this article, we will talk about the best colleges for electrical engineering in USA, and more. Let’s learn more about these best colleges for electrical engineering in USA. 

Overview of Electrical Engineering Colleges in the U.S.

You have various options to choose from. It ranges from undergraduate to Ph.D. programs. It depends on your interests and goals.

In the bachelor’s program, you will learn the basics of electrical engineering, while the master’s program offers a deeper understanding of the field. The total fees for these programs comes around USD 55,000.

The duration of the programs varies:

• Master’s: 1.5 to 2 years
• Bachelor’s: 4 years
• Ph.D.: 4 to 6 years

To apply, you will need to meet certain criteria:

• Minimum GRE score: Around 154 or higher
• English proficiency score: TOEFL – 79 to 231, IELTS – 6.5 to 7.0

Eligibility Requirements

When applying to the best colleges for electrical engineering in USA, there are certain requirements you will need to meet. It does not depend on the level of study you are pursuing. Here is what you should know:

1. Educational Qualification

• For undergraduate programs, you will need to provide a high school diploma with a focus on science and math subjects.
• For master’s programs, you will need a bachelor’s degree preferably in electrical engineering.
• For Ph.D. programs, you will need a master’s degree in electrical engineering along with a portfolio of research papers.

2. English Language Proficiency Test Scores

If you are applying for a master’s program, you will need to submit scores from an English language proficiency test, such as TOEFL or IELTS. The required scores may vary depending on the university.

3. Standardized Exam Scores

While not always required, you may need to provide scores from standardized exams like the SAT/ACT for undergraduate programs and the GRE for graduate programs.

Documents Required 

When applying for electrical engineering programs in the USA, you will need to gather a few important documents:

1. You should have all your academic transcripts and certificates ready.
2. You will need to show proof of financial support to cover your expenses during your studies.
3. You should write a statement of purpose. This is to explain why you want to pursue electrical engineering and your goals.
4. You will also need letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors who can speak about your abilities and character.
5. Last but not least, don’t forget to include your resume or CV. You need to make sure it has details about your education, work experience, and any relevant skills or achievements.

List of 11 Best Colleges for Electrical Engineering in USA

Here are some of the best colleges for electrical engineering in USA. Let’s have a look at them.

1. Stanford University

If you want to get into Stanford University, it is tough. They only pick 4 out of every 100 students for the class of 2025. Your grades matter a lot. But they also look at what you do outside of class and what you write in your essays. It is your chance to show who you are and what makes you special.

• Location: Stanford, CA
• Acceptance rate: 4%
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1470-1570 SAT, 34-35 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

2. MIT

MIT is a really good technical college. They are super picky. They take in 4 out of every 100 students for the class of 2026. It is just a tiny bit more than last year. When they check your application, they want to see if you would fit in well there. They care about your grades and test scores, but that’s not all. 

MIT likes students who are good team players and help each other out. If you are cool with working together and facing tough stuff as a team, MIT could be a good match for you. They also like students who take risks and learn from their mistakes. So if you are not afraid to try new things and learn from what goes wrong, MIT might be the place for you.

• Location: Cambridge, MA
• Acceptance rate: 4%
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1530-1570 SAT, 34-36 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

3. Columbia University

Columbia University accepted only 4% of applicants for the class of 2026. This has not changed from last year. When Columbia University checks out your application, they look at everything about you, not just your grades. They want to know about your experiences, background, and how you have done in school. 

Besides your grades, they also care about what classes you took and how hard they were. They also look at what you did outside of class, like clubs or sports, and what others say about you in their recommendation letters. Your activities show Columbia how you will add to their community. So, make sure to show them what you’ve been up to!

• Location: New York City, NY
• Acceptance rate: 4%
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1500-1570 SAT, 33-35 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

4. California Institute of Technology

California Institute of Technology is selective. They only pick 3 out of every 100 applicants for the class of 2026. That is even fewer than last year when they accepted about 3 out of every 100. 

As an engineer, you are into science and engineering, especially math, chemistry, and physics, so Caltech is the perfect choice for you. They like students who work well together, are creative, and can handle tough situations. 

But it is not just about STEM. Caltech also likes it when you have hobbies and passions outside of science and math. They want students who can bring something extra to the table.

• Location: Pasadena, CA
• Acceptance rate: 3%
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1530-1580 SAT, 35-36 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

5. Harvard University

Harvard University is a top-notch college. They only accepted 3% of first-year applicants for the class of 2026. This is even fewer than last year. 

When Harvard looks at your application, they see you as a whole person. They want to know about your personality and how well you can do in school. 

The faculty members at Harvard carefully check out your application to learn about your interests, background, and talents outside of school. 

Harvard thinks highly of letters of recommendation, interviews, and activities outside of class. These things help them find outstanding students.

• Location: Cambridge, MA
• Acceptance rate: 3% 
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1520-1580 SAT, 34-36 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

6. Princeton University

Princeton University is in Princeton, New Jersey. It is not a big university. It has around 5,321 undergraduates. They are pretty selective. They only take in about 6% of applicants. 

Princeton offers 40 different bachelor’s degrees. Almost everyone graduates, with a rate of 98%. If you go there, you will be in small classes since they have a 5:1 student-faculty ratio. But it is very expensive.

• Location: Princeton, NJ
• Acceptance rate: 6%
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1530-1570 SAT, 34-36 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

7. Yale University

Are you thinking about Yale University to pursue electrical engineering? It is known for being hard to get into. It has a 5% acceptance rate for the class of 2026. That is a bit higher than last year’s 4.62%. 

When faculty members at Yale University check out your application, they are interested in two main things: how you can contribute to their community and how you will make the most of what the school offers. 

While they do look at stuff outside of academics, it is still super competitive. They want to see that you have what it takes to do well in classes. They pay close attention to your grades, test scores, and how tough your courses are.

• Location: New Haven, CT
• Acceptance rate: 5% 
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1520-1580 SAT, 34-36 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

8. Duke University

Duke University is in Durham, North Carolina. It has about 6,883 undergraduates. They are pretty selective. They only take about 6% of applicants. 

Duke University is not cheap. They offer a wide range of 68 bachelor’s degrees. Most students graduate successfully with a rate of 96%. In classes, you will get to interact closely with professors since the student-faculty ratio is 6:1.

• Location: Durham, NC
• Acceptance rate: 6%
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1490-1570 SAT, 33-35 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

9. Brown University

If you are thinking about applying to Brown University? They had a ton of applicants this year. This makes their acceptance rate super low at 5%. 

When Brown looks at your application, they check out everything you have done in high school, both in and out of class. Your activities beyond academics matter there, so please make sure to highlight them. 

Brown wants students who will do well in their community and bring something special to it. So, when you are writing your essays or doing interviews, show them why you would be a perfect fit for their academic culture.

• Location: Providence, RI
• Acceptance rate: 5%
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1460-1550 SAT, 33-35 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

10. Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College has a 6% acceptance rate for the class of 2026. Out of over 28,000 applicants, only around 1,700 get accepted. Just like other Ivy League schools, Dartmouth looks closely at all parts of your application. 

The faculty at Dartmouth College wants to see how you did in high school, your grades, and how tough your classes were. You can also send in extra stuff like awards or any other achievements you are proud of. 

There is also a special writing part where you can talk more about yourself and explain why you think Dartmouth is the best university for you.

• Location: Hanover, NH
• Acceptance rate: 6% 
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1460-1550 SAT, 33-35 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

11. University of Chicago

Are you interested in the University of Chicago? It is known for its groundbreaking research and has a 5% acceptance rate for the class of 2026. Out of over 37,000 applicants, only 1,876 got in. 

When they review applications, the University of Chicago looks at various factors. They check out your high school grades, recommendations from teachers, and essays. You can even send in a two-minute video about yourself to make your application stand out. 

They do not require SAT/ACT scores.  But if you have taken the tests and want to share your scores, you can do that too.

• Location: Chicago, IL
• Acceptance rate: 5% 
• Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1500-1570 SAT, 34-36 ACT
• Programs Offered: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 4 years, Master of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science – 2 years

How To Apply To Best Colleges for Electrical Engineering in USA? 

Here is a simple guide to applying to the best colleges for electrical engineering in USA:

1. Start by visiting the websites of the universities offering electrical engineering programs. You should look for the application requirements section to understand what documents you need.
2. Once you have checked out the courses and specialties each university offers, choose the ones that interest you. You need to make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria before applying.
3. When you are ready, start filling out the application forms. You will need to upload scanned copies of important documents like your transcripts, CV, IELTS/TOEFL scores, and CAEL scorecards.
4. After you have completed the forms, submit them. You should provide accurate information.
5. You should prepare for any interviews that may be required as part of the application process. If you pass the interview, the university will send you a conditional acceptance letter. This will allow you to reserve a spot.
6. Once you have received your conditional acceptance, review the university’s terms and conditions carefully. Then, you must proceed to pay your course fees to secure your place in the electrical engineering program.

Cost of Pursuing Electrical Engineering in the U.S. 

The cost of studying electrical engineering in the USA can vary. It will be based on where you want to study and the type of institution you choose. If you opt for one of the top electrical engineering colleges, you should expect higher costs. Tuition fees and living expenses also differ depending on the city or state you are in.

On average, annual tuition fees for electrical engineering in the USA are about $60,500. As for living expenses, the cost is somewhere around $20,000 per year. This includes factors like where you live, the type of housing you choose, and the services you use while studying.

Career Prospects after Electrical Engineering in the U.S. 

After completing your studies in electrical engineering from top universities in the USA, you can expect an average starting salary of around $66,165. Many well-known companies like Microsoft, Google, and Boeing often hire graduates for various job roles.

Here are some examples of job roles along with their average annual salaries:

• Telecommunication Engineer: $90,000
• Nuclear Engineer: $85,000
• Sound Engineer: $78,900
• Broadcast Engineer: $65,470

These roles offer exciting career opportunities and competitive salaries. This makes electrical engineering a promising field for you to pursue in the USA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you are good at STEM subjects and enjoy technology, pursuing a degree in electrical engineering could be a great choice for you. It is the biggest technical field worldwide. 

Electrical engineering covers everything from large systems to small gadgets. With an electrical engineering degree, you can work in almost any area related to technology and physical products.