How Is the University of St. Thomas College of Engineering Ranked?

Updated

The University of St. Thomas College of Engineering is ranked #29 in the U.S. and #1 in Minnesota among engineering colleges without a doctoral program, according to U.S. News & World Report, as cited on the college's website. That ranking applies to a specific category — engineering schools that do not award doctoral degrees — so it is not a comparison against research universities with PhD programs. If you are evaluating the college, treat the ranking as one signal among several and weigh it against program fit, facilities, and faculty access.

What the Ranking Actually Measures

The U.S. News category for engineering colleges without a doctoral program groups schools that focus on undergraduate and master's-level engineering education rather than PhD research output. This matters for interpretation:

  • The #29 national placement is within that peer group, not across all U.S. engineering schools.
  • The #1 Minnesota placement is also within the same non-doctoral category.
  • Rankings in this category tend to reflect factors like peer assessment and program reputation among similar institutions, not research expenditure or doctoral production.

Because the category is narrower, a strong placement here says more about teaching-focused engineering education than about research scale.

Why the Category Fits This College

The college describes its approach as "purposeful, applied, hands-on, collaborative, industry-relevant." Its stated degree range supports that positioning:

  • Undergraduate and graduate engineering programs: Civil, Mechanical, Computer, Electrical, Manufacturing, Systems, Regulatory Science, and Engineering Management.
  • Graduate programs in software: Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, and Software Engineering.

A teaching- and practice-oriented mix like this aligns with the non-doctoral ranking category rather than a research-doctoral one.

What to Check Beyond the Ranking

Rankings are a starting point, not a decision. Before applying or committing, verify:

  1. Current ranking data — Check the U.S. News & World Report source directly, since rankings are updated annually and the college's cited figures may lag.
  2. Program match — Confirm the specific degree you want (for example, Manufacturing or Regulatory Science) is offered at the level and format you need.
  3. Facilities — The Frey Science & Engineering Complex provides nearly 400,000 square feet of labs and equipment for STEM education, per the college.
  4. Faculty access — The college states that faculty build strong connections with students inside and outside the classroom and calls student development its top priority.

A Reasonable Way to Use This

If you are comparing teaching-focused engineering schools, the #29 national and #1 Minnesota placement is a legitimate point in the college's favor — especially if you want to stay in Minnesota. If you are comparing against large research universities, the ranking is not designed for that comparison, so rely instead on program curriculum, lab access, and outcomes for your specific field.