engineering phd programs

2024 Best Engineering Schools

Ranked in 2024

Before you can make your mark as an engineer, you need to find the graduate school

Before you can make your mark as an engineer, you need to find the graduate school that can best help you build your skills. With the U.S. News rankings of the top engineering schools, narrow your search by location, tuition, school size and test scores. Read the methodology »

For full rankings, GRE scores and student debt data, sign up for the U.S. News Engineering School Compass .

Here are the 2024 Best Engineering Schools

Massachusetts institute of technology, stanford university, university of california, berkeley, california institute of technology, georgia institute of technology, purdue university--main campus, carnegie mellon university (carnegie), university of texas--austin (cockrell), university of illinois urbana-champaign (grainger).

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Cambridge , MA

• # 1 in Best Engineering Schools

$59,750 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,355 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $75 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $59,750 per... Read More »

TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$59,750 per year (full-time)

ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

Average quantitative gre.

Stanford , CA

• # 2 in Best Engineering Schools

$62,580 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,509 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $125 for U.S. residents and $125 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $62,580... Read More »

$62,580 per year (full-time)

Berkeley , CA

• # 3 in Best Engineering Schools

$12,264 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$27,366 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,630 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $135 for U.S. residents and $155 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $12,26... Read More »

$12,264 per year (in-state, full-time)

$27,366 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Pasadena , CA

• # 4 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

N/A TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

561 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $100 for U.S. residents and $100 for international students. The 2023 Ph.D. student-faculty... Read More »

Atlanta , GA

$14,064 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,140 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

5,183 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $95 for U.S. residents and $105 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $14,06... Read More »

$14,064 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,140 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

West Lafayette , IN

• # 6 in Best Engineering Schools

$10,842 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,644 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,554 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at Purdue University--Main Campus has a rolling application deadline. The application fee is... Read More »

$10,842 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,644 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Pittsburgh , PA

• # 7 in Best Engineering Schools

$54,700 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,280 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,565 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Carnegie Institute of Technology at Carnegie Mellon University (Carnegie) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$54,700 per year (full-time)

$2,280 per credit (part-time)

Austin , TX

• # 8 in Best Engineering Schools

$10,554 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$19,320 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,376 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Cockrell School of Engineering at University of Texas--Austin (Cockrell) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$10,554 per year (in-state, full-time)

$19,320 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

Urbana , IL

• # 9 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$19,774 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$37,524 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,128 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $70 for U.S. residents and $90 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $19,774 per... Read More »

$19,774 per year (in-state, full-time)

$37,524 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor , MI

$31,788 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$58,984 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,707 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at University of Michigan--Ann Arbor has a rolling application deadline. The application fee... Read More »

$31,788 per year (in-state, full-time)

$58,984 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

U.S. News Grad Compass

See expanded profiles for more than 2,000 programs. Unlock entering class stats including MCAT, GMAT and GRE scores for business, medicine, engineering, education and nursing programs.

PhD Admissions

Earn your doctorate at duke.

Completing a PhD program in engineering is hard. Really hard. But after years of preparation, frustration and celebration, a Duke doctorate stands out from the crowd.

Between field-defining faculty and a web of industrial, entrepreneurial and public-policy connections, with a Duke Engineering PhD, you can just about go anywhere and do just about anything your heart desires.

And with Duke’s comprehensive financial and professional support, you won’t take that journey alone.

Duke: The Path to a High-Impact Career

Wherever your path leads you, a Duke PhD will ensure you’ll arrive prepared to make a difference.

Biomedical Engineering

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Electrical & Computer Engineering

Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science

Guaranteed funding.

Duke provides significant financial support. And that’s just the beginning. There’s mentorship and career exploration support, too.

Generous Stipend

Guaranteed pay, 12 months a year, for the first five years

Paid Tuition

Covered by Duke during the first five years of study

For the first five years, Duke pays all mandatory fees

Insurance Coverage

For six years, Duke pays your health and dental premiums

Applying to Duke

Contact us at [email protected]

Join Our Mailing List

Receive updates, insights and invitations from our Admissions Team

Review Financial Support Package

5 years of stipend—plus six years of health and dental coverage

Find Your Deadline

See the application calendar for all Duke PhD programs

Start Your Application

Using Duke’s secure online platform

Diversity Makes Better Engineers

An optimist sees the glass as half full. A pessimist? Half empty. An engineer sees a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be. Point is, engineers see things differently. Duke engineers see things very differently. Why use glass at all? Can we create a more efficient material? Ooh, should we include a water quality sensor? Here, we value different backgrounds and ways of thinking—because new approaches generate new solutions.

PhD students

Phd students per tenure-track faculty member, of our phd students received an nsf or other prestigious fellowship, in new research awards won in fy22, best graduate biomedical engineering program.

U.S. News & World Report

Lower cost of living in Durham vs. Boston

Facilities: welcome to wilkinson.

The newest of our buildings is 81,000 square feet of transformational design. Inside Wilkinson are research neighborhoods focused on advances in health, computing and the environment.

Dedicated workspaces for doctoral students feature natural light and campus views.

Durham and Beyond

Location. location. location..

At the north vertex of North Carolina’s famed Research Triangle, the city of Durham is essential to the Duke Engineering experience. Among our neighbors are hundreds of startups and standard bearers both private and public, a growing collection of James Beard Award-winning chefs, and a quickly growing community and skyline. River rafting, trail hiking, mountain climbing and sandy beaches are all just a couple hours’ drive away.

It doesn’t take an advanced degree to see why Durham is the #3 best place to live in America according to U.S. News and World Report, but come get one here anyway.

Interested in joining our community?

Start a conversation with Duke.

• Majors & Careers
• Online Grad School
• Preparing For Grad School
• Student Life

Top 10 Best PhD in Engineering Programs [2024]

You could secure a relatively successful career with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, so why would you need a PhD in engineering? The prevalence of engineering doctorate graduates  has steadily increased in the last 20 years by 6%. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that it’s one of the highest-paid PhD programs in 2024 !

A doctorate degree in engineering will equip you with advanced skills and knowledge, qualifying you for some of the highest positions in the sector, including unique research positions and esteemed professor roles.

With a doctorate of engineering, you’ll belong to a select group of professionals and enjoy a higher average salary than other engineers. Ready to take your engineering career to the next level? Check out our roundup of the best PhD engineering programs, along with career ideas and salary potential.

Table of Contents

Best PhD in Engineering Programs

Here’s a quick list of the best PhD in engineering programs:

• Washington University in St. Louis – PhD in Biomedical Engineering
• Duke University – Ph.D. – Civil & Environmental Engineering
• George Washington University – Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management
• University of Missouri – Ph.D. in Biological Engineering
• University of Georgia – Ph.D. Engineering – Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Northeastern University – Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering
• Lehigh University – Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering
• University of Wisconsin – Chemical Engineering, Ph.D.
• Clemson University – Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
• Georgia Institute of Technology – Doctor of Philosophy in City and Regional Planning

Washington University in St. Louis, McKelvey School of Engineering

PhD in Biomedical Engineering

Named after George Washington, Washington University is a prestigious private research university with students from all 50 states as well as 120 countries. It has two campuses, one each in St. Louis and Clayton, Missouri.

If you have an undergraduate degree in a STEM discipline, you can apply for the university’s PhD in Biomedical Engineering program. As part of this fully-funded program, you’ll conduct research in one of the seven interdisciplinary frontier areas in biomedical engineering.

• Courses : Problem-based learning in biomedical sciences, mathematics of image science, and bioelectric phenomena.
• Credits : 72 (Post-bachelor’s)
• Duration : 5 years
• Tuition : $57,750 per year
• Financial aid : Fellowships
• Acceptance rate:  16%
• Location : St. Louis, MO

Duke University, Pratt School of Engineering

Ph.D. – Civil & Environmental Engineering

Duke University is a world-renowned private research university spread across a number of campuses that offers a diverse learning environment. This PhD program offers cross-disciplinary research opportunities, with the choice of one of five different research tracks available:

• Hydrology and Fluid Dynamics
• Environmental Health Engineering
• Computational Mechanics and Scientific Computing
• Engineering Environmental Geomechanics and Geophysics
• Systems, Risk, and Decision

Students are also eligible for full funding if they meet all requirements.

• Courses : Depends on the track, but some examples include chemical principles, advanced fluid mechanics, uncertainty qualification, game theory, and environmental microbiology
• Credits : 30
• Financial aid : Full funding, fellowships, awards
• Acceptance rate : 7.7%
• Location : Durham, North Carolina

The George Washington University

Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management

George Washington University offers a doctoral program in Engineering Management with five different focus areas. Focus areas include crisis, emergency & risk management, engineering & technology management, and knowledge & information management. An online engineering PhD option is also available.

• Courses : Data analysis for engineers & scientists, the Praxis Proposal, and Praxis research.
• Credits:  45
• Tuition:  Refer to the tuition page
• Financial aid : Scholarships, federal work-study, loans
• Acceptance rate : 43%
• Location:  Washington, DC

The University of Missouri, College of Engineering

Ph.D. in Biological Engineering

The University of Missouri is a world-renowned public university offering more than 300 programs to students from all 50 states as well as 100 countries. Its PhD in Biological Engineering allows you to conduct research in interdisciplinary fields that combine subjects from both biological sciences and engineering. You’ll need to pass a qualifying examination after the first 18 months to continue in the program.

• Courses : Numerical methods in engineering research, seminar in biological engineering, and research in biological engineering.
• Semester hours : 72
• Tuition : $229.80
• Financial aid : Loans, scholarships fellowships, and assistantships
• Acceptance rate:  81.8%
• Location : Columbia, MO

The University of Georgia, College of Engineering

Ph.D. Engineering – Electrical and Computer Engineering

The University of Georgia is a public land grant research university in Athens, Georgia. Its PhD program in engineering allows for in-depth research into electrical and computer engineering technologies and investigates related advanced applications. You can apply to the program with only a bachelor’s degree, but you will have to complete additional credits.

• Tracks : Robotics & automation, electronics & photonics, and intelligent & cyber-physical systems
• Courses : Wireless sensor networks, advanced microcontrollers, and engineering informatics.
• Credits : 43 (for master’s degree holders), 73 (for bachelor’s degree holders)
• Tuition :  $8,704 per year
• Financial aid : Research assistantship, grants, scholarships, loans, federal work-study, veteran benefits
• Acceptance rate:  48.4%
• Location:  Athens, GA

Northeastern University, Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering

Northeastern University is a private research university in Boston. Its PhD program in Mechanical Engineering offers two modes of entry: direct entry for students with a bachelor’s degree and advanced entry for those with a master’s degree. You can also combine the program with the Gordon Engineering Leadership certificate.

• Courses : Materials science engineering, dynamic systems and control, and finite element method (FEM).
• Credit hours : 40 minimum (direct entry), 20 minimum (advanced entry)
• Tuition : $1,689 per credit hour
• Financial aid : Scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, awards, and loans
• Acceptance rate:  20.5%
• Location:  Boston, Massachusetts

Lehigh University, P.C. Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Science

Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering

Located in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Lehigh University is a world-renowned private research college with a special focus on interdisciplinary research, with a collaborative approach. This PhD program allows you to explore state-of-the-art computer science fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and social computing. You’ll also have access to interdisciplinary studies through other departments within the institution, as well as other universities and external laboratories.

• Courses : Advanced programming techniques, Artificial Intelligence theory & practice, and design & analysis of algorithms.
• Duration : 4-6 years
• Tuition : $1,500 per credit hour
• Financial aid : Research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships
• Acceptance rate : 49.5%
• Location : Bethlehem, PA

University of Wisconsin – Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

Chemical Engineering, Ph.D.

The University of Wisconsin is a public land-grant research university and the flagship university of the University of Wisconsin System. Its PhD program in Chemical Engineering has been among the most prestigious such programs for more than a century. The school conducts research in a wide range of subjects, such as energy-related science and technology, complex fluids, polymers synthesis and processing, and atomic-scale design of surface reactivity.

• Courses : Advanced chemical engineering thermodynamics, and biological engineering: molecules, cells & systems.
• Credits : 51 minimum
• Tuition : $773 per credit
• Financial aid : Loans, scholarships, grants, federal work-study, veteran benefits
• Acceptance rate : 57.2%
• Location:  Madison, WI

Clemson University, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Clemson University is a private land grant university with a range of research projects in agriculture, energy, and engineering, among other fields. This PhD program includes a thesis and a non-thesis option. You’ll have the opportunity to conduct research at various renowned institutes, including the Dominion Energy Innovation Center (EIC) of Clemson University. You can transfer a maximum of 12 credits from your graduate coursework.

• Courses : Foundations of fluid mechanics, intermediate dynamics, modern control engineering, and design methodology.
• Credit hours : 24 (with thesis), 33 (non-thesis)
• Tuition : Refer tuition page
• Financial aid : Grants, scholarships, loans, student employment, etc.
• Acceptance rate : 61.9%
• Location : North Charleston, SC

Georgia Institute of Technology, School of City & Regional Planning

Doctor of Philosophy in City and Regional Planning

Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a well-known university with a core focus on technology. Its PhD in city and regional planning is a specialized doctorate of engineering program that allows you to work with other research centers, schools, and programs. Core subjects include the construction of healthy cities, disaster planning, urban analytics, and climate change.

• Courses : Advanced planning theory, quantitative research design & methods, and advanced urban and regional development theory.
• Credits : 46
• Duration : 2 years minimum
• Tuition : $586 per credit
• Financial aid : Research assistantships, scholarships, loans, and fellowships
• Acceptance rate : 21.3%
• Location : Atlanta, GA

Why Get a Degree in Engineering?

An engineering degree teaches you to look at the most modern, advanced, innovative, and constructive parts of the world. With an advanced degree in the field, you’ll gain problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking, development, and creative skills.

Furthermore, a PhD in Engineering will qualify you to apply for some of the most lucrative jobs in the industry. You will have several capabilities enabling you to take up almost any kind of project.

Top Careers for PhD in Engineering Graduates

Here are some of the jobs you’re most likely to score with an engineering PhD, along with the annual median salary for each:

• Engineering Manager ( $118,900 )
• Research Engineer ( $83,112 )
• Engineering Professor ( $89,213 )
• Design Engineer ( $69,821 )
• Aerospace Engineer ( $86,034 )
• Chemical Engineer ( $76,689 )
• Test/QA Engineer for Computer Software ( $71,633 )

Scholarships for Engineering PhD Programs

Many universities offer a range of scholarships, fellowships, and awards to deserving doctorate candidates.

Here are some of the scholarships offered by the country’s most prestigious universities:

• Sloan Scholarships:  You’ll need US citizenship and admission to one of Duke University’s PhD programs to be eligible. Scholarship recipients receive $40,000 over five years.
• University of Missouri 5-Year Fellowship Programs:  The University of Missouri offers seven fellowship programs for eligible students admitted to the university’s doctoral programs. The program includes a tuition waiver, five years’ support, and an insurance subsidy.
• Dean’s International Award :  Washington University in St. Louis awards this scholarship to candidates applying to their PhD engineering programs and are currently pursuing an undergraduate or master’s program.
• Northeastern University Dissertation Completion Fellowship:  Eligible doctoral students at Northeastern University may be awarded a stipend for their final semester.
• Regent’s Opportunity Scholarship : This is a renewable scholarship of $5,500 per year offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology for minority in-state students.

Related:  Top Online PhD Programs in 2024

PhD in Engineering FAQs

Is a phd useful in engineering.

A doctorate degree in engineering can attract a higher salary than a master’s alone. Additionally, a PhD in engineering opens more opportunities to do innovative projects and grow your career.

What is the Best PhD in Engineering?

There is no single best PhD engineering program. The best program for you depends on your preferred discipline, schedule, and goals. Once you decide your focus, look for reputable, accredited universities offering the best engineering PhD programs in your desired specialty.

What is the Highest Degree in Engineering?

A PhD is considered the highest degree in engineering. This qualification will help you secure roles at the highest levels of the industry.

How Long is a PhD in Engineering?

A typical PhD in engineering takes between  five and seven years  to complete. However, this can vary depending on the program, your own preferences, and requirements. For example, there are online engineering PhD programs and accelerated programs that you can complete more quickly.

What Percentage of Engineers have a PhD?

Not all engineers have a doctorate, but those who do are at an advantage. According to Forbes , the proportion of engineering doctorates among all PhD holders increased from 12.9% to 18.9% from 2000 to 2020. Additionally, over 11,000 engineering doctorates  were awarded in 2019.

Key Takeaways

Not many engineers pursue a doctorate after their master’s — but doing so will put you in a competitive position. You’ll be equipped with high-level research skills that will set you apart from your colleagues.

A PhD in engineering will give you an advanced level of knowledge that will propel your performance in your current role, prepare you for promotion and more leadership roles, and equip you to take on the most challenging assignments in the industry. On top of all that, you’ll be rewarded with a lucrative salary.

If you’re ready to put together your applications for the best engineering PhD programs, check out our guides to writing your academic resume  and how to ask a professor for a letter of recommendation.

You May Also Like:

• Top 20 Best PhD Programs in California [Online and On-Campus]
• Top 10 Best Online PhD Programs in Texas

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Engineering and Applied Sciences

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You will work toward a degree in one of six subjects— Applied Mathematics ;  Applied Physics ;  Computational Science & Engineering ;  Computer Science ;  Data Science —and Engineering Sciences, which includes Bioengineering , Electrical Engineering , Environmental Science and Engineering , and Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering . SEAS also offers a master's in design engineering jointly with the Harvard Graduate School of Design* and an MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences program ** jointly with Harvard Business School. PhD, SM, and ME students study primarily with SEAS faculty and are enrolled in and receive their degree from the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS).

You may also pursue collaborative options through the Medical Engineering and Medical Physics program, which is part of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology , and supplement your studies by cross-registering in other Harvard graduate schools or at MIT.

Graduates of the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have gone on to found their own startups and work at some of the world's largest companies such as Intel, Tesla, Microsoft, Merck, IBM, McKinsey & Company, Amazon, JP Morgan, NASA, Google, and Apple. Others have gone on to academic careers with faculty appointments at MIT, Princeton, Columbia, Yale, Stanford, Imperial College-London, and Harvard.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the  Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences  (SEAS), and requirements for the degree are detailed in  Policies .

*Prospective students who are interested in the master in design engineering degree program apply through the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

**Prospective students who are interested in the MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences degree program apply through Harvard Business School.​

***Prospective students who are interested in the Quantum Science and Engineering degree apply to Harvard Griffin GSAS through the Quantum Science and Engineering Program. 

Admissions Requirements

Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).

Academic Background

Applicants typically have bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. In the application for admission, select “Engineering and Applied Sciences” as your degree program choice and your degree and area of interest from the “Area of Study“ drop down. PhD applicants must complete the Supplemental SEAS Application Form as part of the online application process.

Personal Statement

Standardized tests.

GRE General: Not Accepted

AB/SM Program

Harvard College students may apply to the AB/SM program , which enables them to earn a master’s degree in applied mathematics, applied physics, computational science and engineering, computer science, or engineering sciences while simultaneously completing their AB degree. Students interested in applying for the AB/SM should contact the Office of Undergraduate Education at Harvard College about eligibility.

Fall 2025 Admissions Update for the AB/SM Program

Admissions to the AB/SM in Computational Science and Engineering has been paused; the program will not be accepting applications for fall 2025. All other AB/SM programs will be accepting applications.

Special Instructions for Medical Engineering and Medical Physics

If you are also applying to the Medical Engineering and Medical Physics program, please review their admissions instructions . By December 15, you must send a PDF of your completed Harvard Griffin GSAS application to [email protected] .

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Graduate Degree Programs

Main navigation, curricula in the school of engineering.

Our nine departments and the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering (ICME) offer dozens of  graduate programs that align academic course work with research. Related aspects of particular areas of graduate study are commonly covered directly from the department . For further details about the following programs, see the department sections in the Stanford Bulletin .

Stanford undergraduates may also apply to master’s programs as coterminal students; details can be found in the Undergraduate Programs in the School of Engineering  section of the Stanford bulletin.

Fellowships and Assistantships

Departments of the School of Engineering award graduate fellowships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships each year. Visit your department to learn more.

• Undergraduate
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Biological engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, institute for medical engineering and science, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear science and engineering.

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We tackle problems — the harder, the better — and we generate solutions.

Graduate study is not for the faint-hearted, but the rewards match the risks. When it is your job to generate knowledge, you need to go where no one has gone before. And, we’ll give you what you need to get there.

From the day they step on campus, our grad students are not afraid to go after the hardest problems. Even the ones that might take a miracle (or two) to realize, like practical fusion and imaging black holes .

In the end, it is our students who show us where the most important problems are — and how to solve them.

But you don’t need to take our word for it. Our grad students revel in telling their stories — the amazing days, the challenging days, and of course, where to score free food.

https://engineering.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/square_AeroAstro.jpg

Shape the next century of flight.

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Crack the code of biology.

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Put molecules into action.

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Create smarter, better, faster infrastructures.

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Design, invent, or hack digital technologies.

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Go from the lab bench to the patient bedside.

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Redefine the material world.

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Be at the heart of the maker movement.

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Advance nuclear technologies.

Doctoral Program

Main navigation.

The Ph.D. degree is intended primarily for students who desire a career in research, advanced development, or teaching; for this type of work, a broad background in mathematics and the engineering sciences, together with intensive study and research experience in a specialized area, are the necessary requisites.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is conferred on candidates who have demonstrated to the satisfaction of their department or school

• substantial scholarship
• high attainment in a particular field of knowledge
• and the ability to do independent investigation and present the results of such research.

They must satisfy the general requirements for advanced degrees, the program requirements specified by their departments, and the doctoral requirements for candidacy, as outlined in the Stanford Bulletin.

PhD Admissions information

For Current Stanford Students

The ME Student Intranet has detailed information about processes and requirements for the ME PhD .

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