91�Թ�� further solidifies ranking as top 20 graduate engineering program

Emily Adams — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:50:17 +0000

91�Թ�� further solidifies ranking as top 20 graduate engineering program Emily Adams Tue, 04/08/2025 - 07:50

The 91�Թ�� is one of the top 20 engineering graduate programs in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings for 2025-26.

Learn more

Explore our graduate programs

Latest undergraduate rankings

Visit our Facts & Figures page

Campus-wide rankings

91�Թ�� is a tier 1 university (“R1") with “very high research activity” as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The R1 classification includes less than 3 percent of educational institutes in the U.S.

91�Թ��’s engineering graduate program came in at No. 11 when compared to its public university peers. The college earned a No. 20 overall ranking when compared to both public and private universities, tied with Harvard University, the University of Southern California and the University of Washington.

Dean Keith Molenaar said he is proud to see the college continuing to solidify its reputation as a leader in graduate education. More than 1,100 PhD students and nearly 2,000 master’s students are currently enrolled in engineering graduate programs, which include traditional and professional master's degrees, as well as doctoral programs.

“Our reputation isn’t just about our world-class degree programs – it’s also a reflection of the impact our students are having in their careers after they leave 91�Թ��, whether it’s through entrepreneurship, academia or industry,” Molenaar said. “Our graduate students go on to lead successful startup companies, pursue their own exciting research careers and so much more.”

In the engineering specialty rankings, six CU Engineering degree programs were ranked in the top 20 amongst public institutions – including two in the top 10.

Also ranked were biomedical engineering (No. 21), biological engineering (No. 21), electrical engineering (No. 22) and materials science and engineering (No. 26).

“I chose 91�Թ�� because it aligned with my interests, and it felt like a place where I could actually build a life,” said Céu Gómez-Faulk, a doctoral student in aerospace engineering sciences. “Everything feels collaborative, not competitive, and my advisors have supported both my academic and personal growth.”

To calculate its rankings, U.S. News and World Report looks at a range of data about graduate programs, including research activity, peer and recruiter assessments, and student selectivity. Read the full methodology.

Off

Traditional

White

CU Engineering welcomes largest doctoral class in college history

Caroline Harrah — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 19:29:26 +0000

CU Engineering welcomes largest doctoral class in college history Caroline Harrah Thu, 09/19/2024 - 13:29

Caroline Harrah

College tops 1,100 PhDs with most diverse class

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at the 91�Թ�� is celebrating a milestone, welcoming its largest-ever cohort of doctoral students. With a 25% rise in PhD enrollment year-over-year, CU Engineering continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in graduate education, particularly among women and students from minoritized communities.

“CU Engineering is dedicated to becoming a top destination for the brightest minds across engineering fields, where novel research and innovation have the potential to impact everyday lives,” said Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. “Our growth in PhD enrollment is a testament to the success of this strategy, and our strong enrollment of women and students from diverse backgrounds reflects the inclusive and supportive environment we seek to cultivate.”

The incoming class includes a record percentage of female doctoral students, with women making up 37% of new PhD enrollees, surpassing the national average of 29%, according to data from the American Society for Engineering Education. 91�Թ�� stands as the top large public institution for the percentage of women doctoral students enrolled—among institutions with more than 1,000 PhD students—holding a lead over peer institutions.

The overall PhD enrollment at CU Engineering now has 10% of its students from minoritized communities, higher than the national average of 7%. These gains are part of the college’s broader efforts to attract and support a more diverse student body through targeted recruitment and funding opportunities.

Among the incoming and continuing doctoral students, 18 have been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, putting 91�Թ�� in the top 15 for NSF GRFP recipients nationwide across all disciplines and the College of Engineering and Applied Science at No. 7 nationwide in engineering disciplines. This recognition, which supports outstanding graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, further proves the academic excellence found within 91�Թ�� Engineering’s doctoral programs.

Doctoral Program Strengths and Expanding Opportunities

The college’s growth extends beyond traditional engineering fields, in line with its strategy to continuously innovate a portfolio of programs that address emergent needs and opportunities in climate, space, health and quantum.

Newer programs, such as engineering education, biomedical engineering and robotics, have attracted significant interest from prospective students. These interdisciplinary programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and offer doctoral students cutting-edge research opportunities in emerging fields.

"Exploring physics during my bachelor’s and master’s studies sparked a deep curiosity about how complex systems function and their potential to drive innovation, and encountering Kaushik Jayaram’s research at CU Engineering introduced me to the fascinating world of bio-inspired robotics," said Mija Jovchevska, incoming PhD student and 91�Թ�� Chancellor Scholar. "At first, I wasn't sure how my background would fit, but after meeting Jayaram and Nicole Xu, I knew 91�Թ�� was the right choice. Their pioneering work in bio-inspired robotics and biohybrid systems, along with CU’s interdisciplinary approach, supportive community, and Boulder lifestyle, made it the perfect place to bridge my physics background into this exciting, emerging field of research."

CU Engineering’s doctoral programs continue to gain national recognition, with recent rankings placing the college at No. 12 among public institutions and in the top 25 overall for graduate engineering education, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Boulder: A Top Destination for Graduate Students

In addition to academic prestige, 91�Թ��’s location in the heart of Boulder, Colorado, offers doctoral students an unparalleled quality of life. Boulder is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the United States, known for its access to outdoor recreation, vibrant cultural scene and innovative tech ecosystem.

The region’s proximity to national laboratories and leading technology companies also provides CU Engineering students opportunities to collaborate on research and internships, further enhancing their graduate experience.

As the College of Engineering and Applied Science continues to grow, it remains dedicated to providing students with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to excel in their fields and become leaders in research and innovation. With a record-breaking doctoral class and strong enrollment gains in female students and students from historically underrepresented communities and minoritized identities, CU Engineering is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory.

Prospective students interested in joining CU Engineering’s growing doctoral programs can learn more and apply online.

For more information on the college and programs, visit our main engineering program page.

91�Թ��'s College of Engineering and Applied Science welcomed its largest-ever cohort of doctoral students in 2024. With a 25% rise in PhD enrollment year-over-year, CU Engineering continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in graduate education, particularly among women and students from minoritized communities.

Off