Engineering Student Universities In Michigan: Exploring The Options

how many engineering student universities in michigan

Engineering is a popular field of study in Michigan, with many universities offering undergraduate and graduate programs. The University of Michigan, for example, has a top-ranked College of Engineering with 18 undergraduate programs and a range of hands-on opportunities for students. Michigan Technological University, established in 1885 to train mining engineers, now offers a variety of engineering fields to its 4,085 engineering students. Other notable engineering schools in the state include Michigan State University, Lawrence Technological University, and Wayne State University. With a focus on academic excellence and practical experience, these institutions provide a strong foundation for future engineers.

Characteristics Values
Number of universities for engineering in Michigan 45
Top-ranked engineering college in Michigan University of Michigan
Number of undergraduate programs at Michigan Engineering 18
Number of students at Michigan Technological University 7,074
Number of students in the College of Engineering at Michigan Technological University 4,085
Number of full-time faculty at Michigan Technological University 167
Number of full-time faculty at the College of Engineering, University of Michigan 423

shunstudent

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor is a public research university founded in 1817 and is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. It is one of the earliest American research universities and is a founding member of the Association of American Universities. The university is highly ranked in various fields, including engineering, and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Academics and Reputation

The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States and the world. It is known for its strong academics and research capabilities, particularly in engineering. The College of Engineering at the university is highly regarded, with its graduate and undergraduate programs ranking 7th and 5th in the nation, respectively. The university as a whole is ranked 9th in Best Engineering Schools and boasts a diverse range of engineering disciplines, such as aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, and mechanical engineering.

In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor is ranked 21st among National Universities and 3rd among Top Public Schools. It also has a high acceptance rate of 18%. The university is praised for its welcoming atmosphere and offers various organizations and clubs for students to explore their interests.

Campus and Student Life

The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor has a large campus spanning over 3,207 acres in the city of Ann Arbor. The campus is divided into four main areas: Central Campus, North Campus, North Medical Campus, and Ross Athletic Campus. The campus offers a variety of housing options, including residence halls, apartments, and special housing for students. The university guarantees housing for freshmen but does not require them to live on campus.

The university has a vibrant student body with over 1,500 student organizations and 62 Greek chapters. Athletics play a central role, with the Wolverines competing in NCAA Division I and various varsity sports teams. The football team's rivalry with Ohio State is well-known. The university also offers highly ranked graduate programs, such as the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, College of Engineering, Law School, and Medical School.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor has produced numerous notable alumni and is known for its strong engineering program. Notable alumni in engineering and technology include Claude Shannon, known as the "father of information theory"; Turing Award winners Edgar Codd, Stephen Cook, Frances E. Allen, and Michael Stonebraker; and National Academy of Engineering member Clarence "Kelly" Johnson.

The university has also educated many prominent figures in various fields, including politics, business, science, and entertainment. Some notable alumni include former US President Gerald Ford, journalist Mike Wallace, playwright Arthur Miller, and singer Joe Dassin. The university has a strong athletic program, with notable athletes such as Tom Brady, Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard, and Charles Woodson.

shunstudent

Michigan Technological University

MTU offers a wide range of degree programs, with over 120 undergraduate areas of study and many master's degree programs, including those in the schools of business and engineering. The College of Engineering alone offers 17 undergraduate degrees, ranging from mining engineering to robotics engineering. The university also has a new bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering.

The campus is situated on 925 acres, overlooking the Keweenaw Waterway and just a few miles from Lake Superior. The area surrounding the campus offers trails and forests to explore, as well as a river for swimming. Houghton, its sister city Hancock, and the surrounding towns have a population of approximately 15,000 residents.

In terms of student life, MTU has over 200 recognised student organisations, as well as Greek Life and intramural sports. The university also has several traditions, including the annual Winter Carnival, which takes advantage of the area's heavy snowfall with ice sculpture contests, snow volleyball, and cross-country ski races.

As for admissions, MTU received 8,041 applications for the Class of 2025 and accepted 6,895, resulting in an acceptance rate of 85.7%. The university's in-state tuition and fees are $19,123, while out-of-state tuition and fees are $42,988. MTU is ranked #148 in National Universities by US News Best Colleges for 2025.

shunstudent

Michigan State University

The College of Engineering at MSU is one of the founding disciplines at the university and one of the three largest academic units. The college has over 7,100 students and 235 tenure system faculty members. The degrees granted by the college are among the most sought-after and valued in the marketplace. The college develops technology talent to drive the economy of Michigan and beyond, with partners in industry and government.

MSU's College of Engineering offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. The specific admissions criteria vary for each program, but all prospective undergraduate students must first apply to MSU. Once accepted, students interested in the College of Engineering must complete a secondary admissions process. For first-year applicants, this involves declaring an Engineering Preference major and meeting certain criteria, including a minimum number of credits and specific course requirements, before reaching 56 total credits. Transfer students are also accepted to the College of Engineering, with all majors accepting transfer students each year.

shunstudent

Lawrence Technological University

The university offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs through its five colleges: the College of Architecture and Design, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Information Technology, the College of Engineering, and the College of Health Sciences.

The College of Engineering, in particular, explores two age-old questions: what makes things work and how can we make them better?

In 2021, the most popular undergraduate majors at LTU were:

  • Mechanical Engineering (68)
  • Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (46)
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering (43)
  • Computer Science (41)

The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,384 (fall 2023), and the campus size is 107 acres. Its tuition and fees are $44,760.

The Lawrence Tech athletic teams are called the Blue Devils. The university supports over 30 varsity men's and women's teams in sports such as baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

Student Life

On-campus extracurricular activities include leadership opportunities and more than 40 student clubs and organizations. Student Government represents all organisations on campus. The university generally allows new student clubs in any interest area if they are supported by a student petition with at least 30 signatures.

There are also several fraternities and sororities on campus, including Alpha Sigma Phi, Theta Tau, Sigma Pi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Kappa Upsilon, Chi Omega Rho, Delta Tau Sigma, Delta Phi Epsilon, Kappa Beta Gamma, and Delta Sigma Theta.

Notable Alumni

  • Steven A. Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft and current owner of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers.
  • John Z. DeLorean, former GM executive who created the first muscle car and founded the DeLorean Motor Company.
  • Harvey Ferrero, American architect, architectural illustration expert, and founder of Ferrero Architects.
  • Sue Allor, Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2017, elected from District 106.
  • Rosemary Bayer, Michigan senator representing District 12.

shunstudent

Wayne State University

Michigan is home to many universities offering engineering courses, including Wayne State University. Located in Detroit, Wayne State University's College of Engineering provides a unique learning experience in a vibrant, diverse community. The university is highly regarded for its research capabilities, offering both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees across various engineering disciplines.

The College of Engineering at Wayne State University is a leading research institution, not just in Michigan but also across the United States. It boasts an impressive range of instructional programs supported by its own research and that of other institutions. The college is committed to keeping pace with advancements in science and technology, ensuring that its students are well-prepared for the evolving job market.

The university's engineering facilities are impressive, to say the least. The college occupies five separate buildings, totalling over 330,000 square feet of classroom, office, and laboratory space. The primary building comprises a three-story office building attached to a laboratory wing and the Engineering Development Center, creating a dynamic hub for research and teaching. The facilities include multimedia classrooms, a comprehensive computer centre, dedicated teaching laboratories, and advanced research laboratories, such as the Bioengineering Center and the Center for Automotive Research.

One of the most notable features of Wayne State University's engineering programme is the Marvin I. Danto Engineering Development Center, which offers 80,000 square feet dedicated to cutting-edge research and student collaborative projects. This space includes the PACE Teaming Center, a classroom designed to foster team-based collaboration. The university's partnership with PACE also grants students access to industry-standard computer software and tools, giving them a competitive edge when entering the job market.

Overall, Wayne State University's College of Engineering offers a well-rounded and enriching educational experience, combining a strong theoretical foundation with practical, industry-relevant skills. With its diverse community, extensive facilities, and focus on research and innovation, the university provides a solid platform for aspiring engineers to build successful careers.

Frequently asked questions

The College of Engineering at Michigan Tech currently consists of nine separate academic departments, with 4,085 students.

Acceptance rates vary depending on the college. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has an acceptance rate of 18%, while Macomb Community College has a rate of 100%.

The cost of studying engineering in Michigan varies depending on the university and the student's residency status. For example, at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, the tuition for full-time students is $31,788 per year for in-state students and $58,984 per year for out-of-state students.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment