How to Choose the Best Structural Engineering Colleges

Narrowing Down the Selection

For prospective structural engineering students, choosing an institution of higher learning can be a complex task. Many factors come into play, such as the reputation of the college, specialties offered, cost and availability of financial aid, location, career placement, and potential alumni support are just some of those factors. And while there are more than a few top engineering colleges with structural engineering degree programs worth mentioning, the following selection appears to figure fairly prominently in many ratings systems and discussion forums:

Pennsylvania State University

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
Diverse B.S., M.Eng., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees with emphasis in several technical disciplines such as: Civil Systems; Construction; Environmental & Water Resources; Geotechnical and Materials Engineering; Structures; and Transportation. One of the most comprehensive engineering programs in the world.
Web sites: Civil And Environmental Engineering-Structural Engineering: http://www.engr.psu.edu/CE/Divisions/structure/structure.htm

University of Illinois at Urbana

601 E. John Street Champaign, IL 61820-5711 USA.
Ranks in the top five U.S. engineering colleges and in the top three engineering programs in the world. Deep, well established programs and research centers.
Web site: Civil And Environmental Engineering-Structural Engineering: http://cee.illinois.edu/StrucEng

Western Michigan University

1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49008-5200 USA
Undergraduate degree program designed to prepare for work immediately in many civil engineering careers, including structural and geotechnical engineering. Also offers graduate course work leading to a M.S. degree in Civil Engineering including structural engineering specializations.
Web site: Civil and Construction Engineering: http://www.wmich.edu/cce/about.php

University of California- San Diego

Voigt Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
UCSD's Structural Engineering Department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. One of the consistently top-ranked public U.S. universities, diverse engineering and science programs including structural engineering.
Web site: UCSD Structural Engineering Department: http://structures.ucsd.edu/

The University of Sheffield

Sir Frederick Mappin Building, Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD UK
One of the most active civil engineering programs in the UK. Consistently top-ranked university world wide, diverse civil engineering and science programs including structural engineering.
Web site: Civil and Structural Engineering Department: http://www.euroeducation.net/euro/sheffield_university_stuctural_engineering.htm

University of Toronto

35 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4 CA
One of Canada's largest, top ranked universities, with a well established civil engineering program and structural engineering specialties.
Web site: Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering: http://www.civil.engineering.utoronto.ca/Page13.aspx

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 USA
Good structural engineering programs, notable for the specialized B.S. degree in Vehicle Engineering Design Technology.
Web site: Department of Engineering and Technology: http://www.cmich.edu/Admissions/Academic_Programs/Science_and_Technology/Vehicle_Engineering_Design_Tech.htm

Making The Best Choice

There are no standard formulas to determine which institution suits an individual’s educational needs for pursuing an advanced civil engineering or structural engineering degree. While preferred lists and ranking systems can narrow down some choices, there is no substitute for asking questions, visiting websites, reviewing curriculum offerings, faculty, and staff. If an actual site visit cannot be arranged, the websites of many colleges offer virtual online tours of campus and housing facilities for critical review. Members of alumni associations are also typically available to answer email or telephone inquiries. When making a choice of this nature, it really pays to do the homework!