Interested in studying engineering, but also see yourself in a smaller (fewer than 5,000 students) campus community with an undergraduate focus? Yes, that exists! Liberal arts colleges with engineering and engineering-focused colleges offer hands-on experiences, small class sizes, undergraduate research opportunities and close faculty interaction. Additional possibilities include the U.S. Military, Air Force and Naval Academies, as well as excellent 3+2 programs, which allow students to earn a dual degree by spending three years at a liberal arts college and two at a university with an engineering school.

Bucknell University 
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Bucknell offers engineering programs in a liberal arts context that focus on teamwork, innovation, communication, hands-on learning and close student-faculty interaction. Both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as 5-year dual degree programs in Engineering & Management, Liberal Arts & Engineering and a B.S.-M.S. in Engineering are available. Special Engineering Programs include: Engineering in a Global Context, Engineering Success Alliance, Grand Challenges and Institute for Leadership in Technology & Management.

Just the facts

• 3,600 students in a small town environment in Central Pennsylvania
• 9:1 student-faculty ratio
• Engineering departments include: biomedical, chemical, civil & environmental, computer science, electrical & computer, and mechanical

Cooper Union 
New York, New York
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers programs in architecture, art and engineering. All students develop a liberal arts foundation through seminars in humanities and social sciences. The engineering program focuses on project-based learning, undergraduate research and collaborative teamwork in a conservatory style environment. In addition to undergraduate degrees, a B.S.-M.S. dual degree program is available.

Just the facts

• 853 students in a city environment
• 8:1 student-faculty ratio
• Engineering majors include: chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical and general engineering with concentrations such as computer science, entrepreneurship, biomedical, energy, sustainability, infrastructure, environmental, mechatronics and robotics, among others

Harvey Mudd College 
Claremont, California
Harvey Mudd, part of the Claremont Colleges Consortium, focuses on engineering, science and mathematics through a liberal arts perspective. While all nine majors are in these areas, students take core courses that give them a broad scientific background, as well as courses in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Mudd’s renowned Engineering Clinic is an internationally recognized model of experiential learning where students work with faculty advisors and external engineers to solve real problems for real clients.

Just the facts

• 844 students in a suburban environment outside Los Angeles
• 8:1 student-faculty ratio
• Students major in engineering, focusing on problem solving that can span multiple engineering disciplines with three main areas: design, systems and engineering science with an emphasis on professional practice

Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania
Lafayette offers undergraduate engineering within a liberal arts context, emphasizing close faculty-student interaction, undergraduate research, hands-on projects and the opportunity to study abroad. Degrees are offered in six subjects, and minors are available in bioengineering and mechanical engineering. The engineering division also offers Grand Challenges, service learning and highly ranked career services.

Just the facts

• 2,450 students in a small city environment
• 11:1 student-faculty ratio
• Undergraduate engineering degrees in chemical & biomolecular, civil, electrical & computer, mechanical, engineering studies, and a dual degree in engineering & international studies

Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
MSOE offers undergraduate programs in engineering, business, nursing and math, as well as 11 graduate programs. In engineering, the focus is on hands-on experience, connection with professors, fast-paced learning and learning integrated with industry. Students take major-specific classes from the first quarter, and also take humanities, social sciences, general electives and professional preparedness courses.

Just the facts

• 2,823 students in a city environment
• 16:1 student-faculty ratio
• Undergraduate engineering degrees in architectural, biomedical, biomolecular, civil, computer, electrical, general, industrial, mechanical and software engineering

Olin College of Engineering
Needham, Massachusetts
Founded in 1997, Olin prides itself on its innovative approach to engineering – experiential learning to build technical expertise as well as an environment of exploration and creativity. Students focus on engineering from day one, and also take courses in the arts, humanities and social sciences in a collaborative, hands-on, interdisciplinary academic culture. Cross-registration at Babson, Brandeis and Wellesley widen academic offerings, and students are encouraged to study away.

Just the facts

• 330 students in a suburban environment outside Boston
• 8:1 student-faculty ratio
• Undergraduate engineering degrees in electrical & computer, mechanical, and general engineering with concentrations in bioengineering, computing, design and robotics

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre-Haute, Indiana
Rose-Hulman is focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an academic environment that values individual attention. There are 14 academic departments, including eight in engineering. Hands-on, student-driven research is emphasized, as is study abroad. Eight Master’s degree programs are also available.

Just the facts

• 2,150 students in a suburban environment outside Terre Haute
• 13:1 student-faculty ratio
• Engineering departments include: biology & biomedical, chemical, civil & environmental, computer science & software, Electrical & Computer, Mechanical, Physics & Optical, and Engineering Management

Smith College
Northampton, Massachusetts
Smith has the first all-women’s ABET-accredited engineering program in the U.S. The program is grounded in a liberal arts context, with a flexible curriculum that contextualizes engineering in a larger societal context and encourages learner-centered, collaborative education. Students who plan to become practicing engineers pursue the B.S. degree and those who are interested in engineering as a subject on the forefront of technology and science, but don’t plan to become engineers pursue the B.A. degree.

Just the facts

• 2,845 students in a suburban environment
• 9:1 student-faculty ratio
• Undergraduate engineering degrees in engineering science and engineering arts as well as a minor in engineering