The US has some amazing universities and colleges that offer highly-valued undergraduate engineering programs to students from around the world. A deciding factor in admission to these programs is the scores students attain in different exams including SAT / ACT, TOEFL/ IELTS and/or GPA.
So, let’s find out which are some of the best universities to consider for undergraduate engineering programs based on a spectrum of these academic scores.
MIT University is the best school for engineering studies in the US and courses offered here are renowned the world over. The University is one of the most competitive schools in the world with a very low acceptance rate. MIT has about 4,524 undergraduate students of which about 9% are international students, from 116 countries.
Score Requirements for Admission to MIT
IELTS is not accepted for MIT, therefore, you need to provide your TOEFL test scores along with two SAT Subject Tests (one in math and one in science).
The table below provides the middle 50% score range of admitted students (25th and 75th percentiles) at MIT.
The recommended TOEFL (iBT) score is a composite of 100, with at least 23 in each section.
The recommended TOEFL Paper-Delivered Test (PBT) score is a composite of 600.
For the TOEFL revised Paper-Delivered Test (rPDT) the recommended score is, at least 23 in each section
The Undergraduate Programs offered at MIT include Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nuclear Science and Engineering- to name a few. About 70% of undergraduates here declare Engineering as their major.
Cost of Studying at MIT
According to MIT, the total price of living and tuition fees per undergraduate student is over $70,000. However, the good news is that MIT strives to make generous scholarships and aids available to its students. 6 out of every 10 students receive MIT’s need-based aid. Therefore, the average expense comes out to be about $23,000 per student after availing these aids. The MIT Student Financial Services website provides more information on these financial aids.
Another top university for undergrad engineering in the US is Stanford University. It admits about 2,085 undergraduate students, out of which 10.7% are international citizens representing 60 countries.
Score Requirements for Admission to Stanford University
Stanford accepts your TOEFL and SAT/ACT test scores for granting admissions. The school also expects recommendation letters that unveil your ‘intellectual vitality’ and essays that narrate your ‘genuine voice’.
It also takes interest in your extracurricular and non-academic interests which portray your potential. Try to get an experience of exceptional depth in one particular passion rather than getting your hands on everything and being average in all of them.
The table below provides overview of the middle 50% test score range for admission in Stanford University:
SAT Maths section score range is 700-780
SAT English Reading & Writing section score range is 690-760
ACT
ACT score range is 32-35
Although TOEFL is recommended by the school, it says that there is no minimum requirement for it; each application is studied on a case-by-case basis.
Cost of Studying at Stanford University
The school claims to offer approximately 70% of its students with some form of financial aid. It claims to pay an average of $13,600 towards the bills of its students. Their Financial Aid website provides all the information regarding this aid.
Out of the total 15,567 undergraduate students, UCB admits 1,341 international students representing 74 countries. With an admit rate of a mere 8.7% for international applicants, UC Berkeley is one of the toughest universities to get admission.
Score Requirements for Admission to Stanford University
The students need to provide a SAT score with an essay or ACT with a Writing Test. This must be accompanied with scores of a SAT Math Subject 2 and a SAT subject test score in science. Apart from SAT/ ACT scores, IELTS or TOEFL scores are also required for admission.
Below is a quick look at the average middle score range (25th and 75th percentiles) for admission in UCB Berkeley.
SAT composite score range is 1420-1480
Math section score range is 640-750
English Reading & Writing section score range is 640-730
ACT
ACT score range is 33-34
GPA
The average GPA (unweighted) is 3.93
Cost of Studying at UC Berkeley
The school claims to charge no tuition fee from eligible families with incomes below $80,000 tuition fee under UC’s Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. It also offers grants, scholarships, work-study aid, and loans for financial assistance. The detailed information regarding these is given on its Types of Aid page on the official website.
The University of Colorado Boulder or CU Boulder, is another great option for undergrad engineering students. The Programs offered here include Computer Science Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Chemical Engineering, etc.
Score Requirements for Admission to University of Colorado Boulder
The university accepts ACT/ SAT scores along with IELTS/ TOEFL scores from prospective students.
The middle 50% of the admitted students here have the following average scores:
SAT composite score range is 1320-1480
ACT
ACT composite score range is 30-34
GPA
The average GPA (unweighted) range is 3.88 - 4.0
The minimum TOEFL score required is 83, with writing subscore of 19 or higher
IELTS score required is 6.5, with writing subscore of 5.5 or higher
Cost of Studying at University of Colorado Boulder
The college estimates the total cost for two semesters including tuition and fees, accommodation (on-campus), and books and supplies as $59,312 for international students. The information on financial aids and scholarships is given on its Cost and Financial Aid website.
UC Davis ranks among United States’ top graduate engineering schools. Of the total 29,379 undergraduate students in University of California, about 12% are international students. The admit rate for freshmen here is 43.6%.
Score Requirements for Admission to University of California, Davis
UC requires applicants to report a SAT/ACT score along with two SAT Subject Tests (preferably in science and maths) for admission. Here’s is a look at the average score range of students admitted to UC Davis:
SAT composite score range is 1240-1450
SAT Math section score range is 620-770
Reading & Writing section score range is 590-680
SAT Essay score range in 15-18
ACT
ACT composite score required range is 26-32 with ACT English Language score range of 24-30
GPA
GPA (weighted) required is 3.92- 4.23
Unweighted GPA range required is 3.71- 3.96
TOEFL iBT score of 80 or better is needed
Paper-based TOEFL score of minimum 550 or better, and revised Paper-delivered test score of minimum 60 or better is required
IELTS score is also accepted with a 6.5 or better band score
Cost of Studying at University of California, Davis
About 93% of all new freshmen live on campus, according to UC Davis Student Profile. The university claims to provide 71% undergraduates with financial aid and loans, with an average award of $21,289. Scholarships are provided only if the applicant has a GPA of 3.4 or better.
MSU offers many undergraduate engineering programs. These include Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, etc. As of 2017, 13% of the incoming 7,950 students in the freshman class in Michigan State University were international students.
Score Requirements for Admission to Michigan State University
Just like other undergrad engineering colleges in the list, MSU also requires students to furnish their SAT or SAT & TOEFL or IELTS scores. The score requirements of the MSU middle 50% of enrolled freshmen in 2017 are given below:
SAT composite score range is 1120-1290
An Evidence-based Reading and Writing score of 510 is also required.
Required ACT composite score range is 23-28, with a sub score of 18 or higher on English section.
GPA
The average GPA range is 3.5-3.9
The TOEFL iBT score should be 79, with no score below 17, and paper-based test score of 550, with no score below 52
The IELTS score required is 6.5 or higher.
Cost of Studying at Michigan State University
The university calculates the tuition fee, books and supplies, transportation, insurance, and accommodation expenses to total at an average of $61,644 for a 9-month academic year. It claims that 70% freshmen received aid. Check out the types of Financial Aid on the official MSU website.
The last on our list is Arizona State University. It is considered to be one of the best engineering schools in the US when it comes to engineering programs.
Score Requirements for Admission to Arizona State University
ASU’s Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering requires its students to have certain minimum scores. The average scores needed for admission are given below:
Minimum SAT composite score is 1210
SAT Math section minimum score is 560
SAT English Reading & Writing section minimum score is 580
ACT
Minimum ACT composite score of 24, with 24 on ACT Math and 21 minimum in ACT English
GPA
A minimum of 3.0 unweighted GPA is required for admission
Minimum TOEFL iBT score of 79 or a score of 550 in the TOEFL paper-based test or 213 on the computer based test is required
The IELTS minimum composite score is 6.5
Cost of Studying at Arizona State University
ASU claims to provide 80% of its students with some form of financial assistance every year. Your total cost of attendance and other expenses can be calculated on the Financial Aid and Scholarship Services website of ASU. Scholarships are also provided at the Engineering school of ASU for some students.
Now that you know the top universities in the US for undergraduate engineering programs, an important thing to remember is that non-academic activities are also a crucial part of your undergrad application. So, do not stress excessively over your scores. This would only lead to anxiety.
Your Statement of Purpose (SOPs), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), and interests in co-curricular activities play an important role in getting you a college of your choice. So, pay equal attention to all areas and try to polish your overall college application for better chances. Better be a jack of all trades and not a master of one; do not only concentrate on your scores.
Good luck!
