Are You a Technology Lover? You Should Consider These High-Ranking Colleges

Are you a technology lover interested in pursuing a tech-related degree? You’re in the right place! We’ve pulled together some of the best schools in the country for tech majors so you can spend less time researching and more time perfecting your application.

Although the vast majority of schools offer some degree related to technology, not all programs are made the same. There are some that offer a world-class education that will prepare you for the highly competitive tech-fueled job market.

With the skills, insights, and experience you receive from these top-rated universities, you’ll have what you need to succeed in further education and the professional world. Without further ado, let’s explore the best colleges for a technology lover.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, MA

MIT has rightfully been regarded as one of the best research and technology institutes of higher learning in the entire world. Of course, this reputation earns it a spot as a great-fit college if you’re a technology lover.

With a lengthy history of over 150 years, MIT has produced some of the greatest technological minds including 70 Nobel laureates, some of which are still teaching at MIT, along with CEOs and executives of Fortune 500 tech companies.

Students benefit from world-class research facilities, highly esteemed staff members, experiential learning opportunities, and so much more. Whether you want to pursue a degree centered on technology or simply participate in some classes (and extracurriculars) in that vein, you’ll find all the tech-related curricula you could want at MIT.

2. Stanford University – Stanford, CA

If you’re a technology lover looking to attend an Ivy League school, make sure to put Stanford at the top of your list. This world-famous university has made excellent strides in the fields of engineering and technology both in terms of its esteemed academic offerings and the uber-successful alumni it produces.

Stanford’s impressive list of alumni reads like a who’s who of the tech landscape with major names such as the founders of Google, Hewlett-Packard, and so much more.

In addition to stellar engineering, computer science, and other tech-related degrees, graduates also benefit from Stanford’s proximity to Silicon Valley where all the heavyweights of the tech world congregate.

These leaders in tech recruit many students from Stanford because of the school’s fantastic reputation. They know students from Stanford have a lot to offer. Here are some of the primary departments a technology lover like you might consider pursuing at Stanford.

• Aeronautics and Astronautics (AA)
• Bioengineering (BioE)
• Chemical Engineering (CHE)
• Civil Engineering (CE)
• Computer Science (CS)
• Electrical Engineering (EE)
• Environmental Systems Engineering (ENVSE)
• Management Science and Engineering (MS&E)
• Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)
• Mechanical Engineering (ME)

2. University of California–Berkeley – Berkeley, CA

UC Berkeley provides undergraduates with a world-class engineering and technology education. With this degree, you will have the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a wide range of future possibilities including an advanced degree, entrepreneurial career, research-focused work, and much, much more.

If you’re a technology lover at UC Berkeley, you can choose from various, high-quality, and comprehensive academic programs including:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences
• Engineering Science
• Industrial Engineering & Operations Research
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering

On top of these unrivaled academic offerings, you’ll have access to world-class research institutions where you can get real-world and hands-on experience. UC Berkeley is well-known for The Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation, The Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology, and The Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership.

3. California Institute of Technology – Pasadena, CA

Calling all technology enthusiasts who are considering pursuing higher education in a tech-related field! Caltech is the place for you. How can we be so sure?

Well, a comprehensive 2015 study showed that the highest percentage of students who went on to complete a Ph.D. received an undergraduate or master’s degree from Caltech. Pretty cool, huh?

This success isn’t just serendipity since Caltech is well-known for its atmosphere of growth, achievement, and discovery. Students have a wide selection of engineering and tech-related degree programs along with a rich variety of research opportunities.

One of the university’s most exciting recent additions is the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Center for Information Science and Technology.

This massive building houses some of the country’s leading academic opportunities for tech-lovers no matter their specific interests. If you need a place just to chill and study, the Annenberg Center is a prime location.

4. Carnegie Mellon University – Pittsburgh, PA

No discussion of the best colleges for a technology lover would be considered complete without the inclusion of Carnegie Mellon University. This private research institution boasts a wide range of programs and departments all aimed at helping students receive a world-class education in technology.

For instance, CMU’s Center for Technology Transfer and Enterprise Creations is designed to encourage students to develop unique solutions and inventions and then connect those discoveries with companies that can help bring the ideas to life through manufacturing, development, and investment opportunities.

The Quality of Life Technology Center centers on the creation of intelligent systems enabling older individuals to increase their independence later in life.

With a highly esteemed faculty comprised of successful researchers and professors in addition to excellent research and study abroad opportunities, tech students will have no shortage of opportunities to fulfill their academic ambitions at CMU.

5. Purdue University–West Lafayette – West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University has contributed some undeniable wonders to the world of technological advancement including the improvements in steam engines and the atomic transistor.

Find a field of technology where boundaries are being pushed and there’s a good chance, you’ll find a Purdue engineer somewhere at the forefront.

These impressive results have earned Purdue a reputation as one of the best schools for high schoolers enthusiastic about tech. The aptly named Discovery Park is the campus’s crown jewel research building that boasts some of the most advanced technological research occurring in the entire country.

The impressive mission of the complex is to “enable multidisciplinary research that impacts Global Health, Global Sustainability and Global Security.” Techies will feel like kids in a candy shop with all the rich research and academic opportunities available at Purdue.

6. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor, MI

The University of Michigan holds the accolades of being the state’s sole public research university and oldest university. Technology remains at the forefront of the institution’s departments, curricula, and philosophy.

The university offers a wide range of engineering, computer science, and other tech-related degree programs where students can gain a high-quality, comprehensive education in the fundamentals of the field.

The university also offers rich research opportunities where undergraduates can put their learning to the test with some real-world experience.

Beyond its academic offerings, the University of Michigan is a technology lover’s paradise with its thousands of Mac and Windows computers, advanced cloud storage, free security software, extensive Wi-Fi, and a host of other free tech available to students.

7. Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta, GA

More commonly referred to as Georgia Tech, the Georgia Institute of Technology is quickly becoming a household name among tech enthusiasts, making it an excellent consideration for high schoolers who are set on pursuing a tech-related degree.

The university’s College of Computing is a flagship department focused on what it’s dubbed the “new face of computing” through the implementation of various programs set on creating a more diverse and robust engineering landscape by getting more women into the field.

Georgia Tech also boasts the Advanced Technology Development Center which aims to help tech entrepreneurs find success in their professional endeavors. It’s the perfect opportunity to see if your ideas have what it takes to succeed. So far, Georgia Tech has helped over 130 tech companies start since 1980.

8. University of California–San Diego (Jacobs) – La Jolla, CA

The University of California San Diego stands out as one of the best research and engineering colleges on the west coast. The university has been recognized for its achievements in this area with the Innovation Challenge Award.

It’s easily one of the more technologically advanced schools in the University of California network. The tech-savviness of the campus falls right in line with the most popular majors and degree programs available which all revolve around engineering and science. It doesn’t matter what kind of degree you’re pursuing, however.

You’ll still have unlimited access to UCSD’s state-of-the-art offerings. The leading institution on campus is the Science & Engineering Library. This massive intellectual hub is the go-to source not only for tech-focused students but also corporate communities and professionals in the area. The library has everything you need to nail your research and studies at UCSD.

9. University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign – Urbana, IL

The University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering has been recognized as one of the world’s leading engineering programs. It’s focused on providing individuals with high-quality education, research opportunities, and experiential learning.

Whether you’re interested in continuing your education or entering into a professional career after receiving a technology-related degree from the University of Illinois, you’ll have the insights, experience, and knowledge you need to succeed.

Both the faculty and graduates from the University of Illinois are focused on harnessing the power of technology to change the world for the better.

The Grainger College of Engineering provides students with an unparalleled education where undergrads can choose from 15 different engineering majors and even customize their own degrees with various course offerings.

Here are just a few of the engineering majors offered at the University of Illinois.

• Aerospace Engineering
• Agricultural and Biological Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Mechanics
• Industrial Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
• Physics
• Systems Engineering and Design

10. Texas A&M University–College Station – College Station, TX

Another burgeoning name in the space of engineering and technology is Texas A&M University. Its College of Engineering provides students with a wealth of undergraduate degrees spanning 15 different departments including:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Biological and Agricultural Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Multidisciplinary Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering

This variety provides students with the chance to receive a highly interdisciplinary and comprehensive education.

11. Cornell University – Ithaca, NY

Duffield Hall of Cornell University is widely regarded as one of the country’s best teaching and research facilities for science and engineering programs.

More specifically, the field hall specializes in nanoscale technology. It offers unrivaled instruction and research and a wide variety of fields including advanced materials processing, microelectromechanical devices, and electronic devices. Students can also pursue research opportunities and academic offerings in biotechnology.

With innovative research centers and laboratories, Cornell University offers technology lovers a chance to one-of-a-kind experiential learning opportunities that other universities can’t offer.

12. University of Southern California (Viterbi) – Los Angeles, CA

USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering is widely recognized for its innovative and elite academic offerings. It’s well-known for its unique models of research and education which provide tech lovers with an extensive and interdisciplinary curriculum.

It has a diverse array of academic programs and departments, allowing undergraduates a large degree of freedom when choosing their career path.

This is an excellent perk for students who are interested in a multitude of tech-related subjects. Here are the primary departments and degree programs you can pursue through USC.

• Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
• Astronautical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
• Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Computer Science
• Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Engineering Writing Program
• Information Technology Program

13. University of Texas–Austin (Cockrell) – Austin, TX

Although the University of Austin doesn’t have a reputation as famous as some of the other well-known names on this list, it certainly gives other schools a run for their money. Students interested in pursuing a degree in a technology-focused field should definitely have this school on their radar.

The Cockrell School of Engineering is a preeminent school for engineering classes, workshops, research opportunities, summer programs, degrees, and a wide variety of other offerings for students.

If you want to get a taste of what the University of Austin can offer before applying, head to the South by Southwest Interactive festival.

The university is a key player in the event where various panel discussions tackle some of the biggest breakthroughs in technology.

14. Columbia University (Fu Foundation) – New York, NY

Columbia’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is considered one of the country’s leading providers of various engineering and applied science programs.

Whether you’re a technology lover intended on a degree in the field or simply want to supplement your primary field of study, the Fu Foundation School is a great way to accomplish your academic and professional goals.

Columbia’s undergraduate program for engineering strikes the perfect balance between the intimacy and collaboration you get from a small program and the comprehensive resources you get from leading research universities. It’s truly the best of both worlds for tech enthusiasts. Here are the primary areas of study offered by the Fu Foundation.

• Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Earth & Environmental Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Mechanics
• Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Operations Research: Engineering Management Systems
• Operations Research: Financial Engineering

How to increase your chances of getting into these schools.

Now that you know the best schools for a technology lover, it’s time to see how you can improve your chances of getting accepted to these world-class schools. Here are some foundational tips:

Earn a High GPA – Your GPA is the most accurate measurement colleges have of your academic abilities. The higher it is, the more impressive your overall application will look.

Participate in Extracurriculars – Colleges don’t just care what you’re doing in the classroom. You can stand out amongst the crowd of applicants by pursuing a tech-related extracurricular activity.

Take Tech-Related Courses – If your high school offers courses specifically related to technology, you should take them to show admissions officers you’re committed to the field.

Work with a college entrance specialist.

One of the best ways to increase your chances of gaining admittance into your best-fit schools is to work with a college entrance expert like AdmissionSight.

For over a decade, we’ve been helping high schoolers reach their academic goals by helping them perfect their applications and catch the attention of admissions officers.

Feel free to contact us today to learn more about what we offer and how you can benefit. We’ll set up a free consultation to answer all your questions. We look forward to hearing from you.