7 Best Universities in the US for Engineering and Technology for Every Score

The United States features remarkable universities and colleges suited to every score level, whether considering SAT, ACT, or GPA. Below is a compilation of top-tier institutions to evaluate across a diverse range of academic scores.

NOTE: Unweighted GPA or High School GPA is scored out of 4 and Weighted GPA is scored out of 5.

1. MIT-

As a premier destination for engineering programs, this institution accommodates approximately 4,524 undergraduate learners, of whom roughly 9% are international students hailing from 116 countries, reflecting its selective admission rate. Applicants must submit TOEFL test scores, as IELTS is not accepted, alongside two SAT Subject Tests (one in mathematics and one in science). The middle 50% score range among accepted candidates (spanning the 25th and 75th percentiles) indicates that, as one of the world's most rigorous institutions, the SAT Math score ranges from 780 to 800, while the SAT English Reading and Writing score spans 720 to 770. The recommended TOEFL (iBT) composite score is 100, featuring a minimum of 23 in each individual section, whereas the recommended TOEFL Paper-Delivered Test (PBT) composite score is 600. For the TOEFL revised Paper-Delivered Test (rPDT), the suggested score is once again at least 23 per section.

Available undergraduate paths encompass Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Nuclear Science and Engineering, among others. At this campus, about 70% of undergraduates choose Engineering as their major. MIT lists the aggregate cost of tuition and living expenses per undergraduate at over $70,000, yet it works to provide accessible scholarships and assistance; nearly 6 out of every 10 students receive MIT need-based support. The net average expense calculated per student after financial assistance is approximately $23,000.

The MIT Student Financial Services website provides more information.

2. Stanford University-

Stanford University enrolls around 2,085 undergraduate students, with 10.7% coming from international backgrounds representing 60 countries. The middle 50% SAT test scores feature a Mathematics section range of 700-780 and an English Reading & Writing section range of 690-760. The middle 50% ACT score falls between 32 and 35. While the TOEFL is recommended by the institution, it maintains no strict minimum score requirement; every application undergoes evaluation on an individual basis. The university looks for recommendation letters that showcase your intellectual vitality alongside essays that preserve your authentic voice. It also values extracurricular and non-academic pursuits that demonstrate your potential. Candidates should aim for exceptional depth in a single passion rather than spreading themselves too thin across numerous areas with only average results. The school reports that it awards roughly 70% of its students some form of financial assistance, contributing an average of $13,600 toward their educational expenses. Prospective students can find complete details on the Financial Aid website.

3. University of California, Berkley-

Out of a total population of 15,567 undergraduate students, UCB enrolls 1,341 international learners representing 74 countries. Candidates must submit an SAT with essay or ACT with Writing, in addition to an SAT Math Subject 2 and a science-related SAT subject test. The average composite SAT score (spanning the 25th and 75th percentiles) is 1420-1480, with Math section scores between 640-750 and English Reading & Writing section scores between 640-730. The middle 50% ACT score ranges from 33 to 34. The average unweighted GPA stands at 3.93. Consequently, the admission rate for international applicants is just 8.7%. The institution also mandates TOEFL or IELTS results. The university states that eligible families earning under $80,000 are exempt from tuition costs through the UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. It also provides grants, scholarships, work-study support, and loans for monetary aid, with full details available on its Types of Aid website.

4. University of Colorado Boulder

The middle 50% of admitted learners here achieve a composite SAT score of 1320-1480. The middle 50% composite ACT score for accepted students is 30-34, accompanied by a high school GPA of 3.88-4.0. The baseline TOEFL requirement is 83, with a writing subscore of 19 or higher, or an IELTS score of 6.5, requiring a writing subscore of 5.5 or higher. Offered majors include Computer Science Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Sciences, and Chemical Engineering. The university calculates the combined two-semester expense for international students—encompassing tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and books and supplies—at $59,312. Information regarding financial support and scholarships is published on the Cost and Financial Aid website.

5. University of California, Davis

Among the 29,379 total undergraduate students, roughly 12% are international scholars. The university mandates a TOEFL iBT result of 80 or higher, a Paper-based TOEFL score of at least 550, and a revised Paper-delivered test score of at least 60. IELTS results are also welcomed with a band score of 6.5 or higher. UC requires candidates to supply an SAT or ACT score along with two SAT Subject Tests (ideally in science and mathematics) for admission consideration. The freshman acceptance rate is 43.6%. The expected weighted GPA runs from 3.92 to 4.23, while the unweighted GPA falls between 3.71 and 3.96. The required composite SAT score spans 1240-1450, featuring a Math section score of 620-770, a Reading & Writing section score of 590-680, and an SAT Essay score of 15-18. The necessary composite ACT score ranges from 26 to 32, with an ACT English Language Arts score of 24-30. Scholarships are granted solely to applicants holding a GPA of 3.4 or higher. The university reports that it supplies 71% of undergraduates with financial aid and loans, averaging an award of $21,289. According to the UC Davis Student Profile, around 93% of all incoming freshmen reside on campus.

6. Michigan State University-

For the 2017 freshman cohort, the middle 50% at MSU recorded SAT composite scores between 1120 and 1290, alongside an evidence-based Reading and Writing score of 510. ACT composite scores ranged from 23 to 28, requiring a sub-score of at least 18 on the English section. Applicants need a TOEFL iBT score of 79, with no sub-score under 17, or a paper-based test score of 550, with no sub-score below 52. An IELTS score of 6.5 or higher is also required. Among the 7,950 incoming freshmen, 13% are international students. The average high school GPA for the 2017 freshman class fell between 3.5 and 3.9. Factoring in tuition, books and supplies, transportation, insurance, and housing, the university estimates the total average cost at $61,644 for a 9-month academic year. The institution reports that 70% of freshmen obtain financial aid. Further details are accessible on the MSU Office of Financial Aid website.

7. Arizona State University-

The Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at ASU mandates a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 79, a paper-based TOEFL score of 550, or a computer-based score of 213. The minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5. Admission criteria further require an SAT composite score of at least 1210, with minimums of 560 in Math and 580 in English Reading and Writing, or an ACT composite score of 24, with 24 in ACT Math and at least 21 in ACT English, or a minimum ABOR or unweighted GPA of 3.00. ASU states that it offers some level of financial support to 80% of its students annually. Total attendance costs and miscellaneous expenses can be computed via the ASU Financial Aid and Scholarship Services portal. The engineering faculty also grants various scholarships.

Extracurricular involvement is another vital component of your application, meaning that obsessing exclusively over test scores will only create unnecessary stress. Your statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and participation in co-curricular pursuits are critical factors in securing admission. It is advantageous to be well-rounded rather than overly specialized, so avoid limiting your focus entirely to academic grades.

To learn more about its international standing, check out our comprehensive guide titled How Did USC Viterbi School of Engineering Become the Best to discover insights regarding its standings, research output, degree offerings, and professional placement for graduates.

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