On Tuesday, April 8, U.S. News & World Report released its annual Best Engineering Graduate Schools rankings, and the George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (GW Engineering) rose from 88 to 74. This 14-place climb is the largest single-year increase among the top 100 schools.
U.S. News rankings compare engineering schools on their research activity, faculty resources, academic achievements of entering students, and assessments by other engineering schools and employers.
“Peer institutions, employers, and the rest of the country are figuring out what we have long known,” said Dean John Lach. “GW Engineering’s faculty, students, alumni, and staff are leading innovative and impactful research projects and educating the next generation of leaders who will pioneer solutions for the grand challenges of the mid-21st century.”
The rankings list spotlights the country’s academically excellent graduate programs and can help prospective students identify the right program and school.
“Our high-quality education, cutting-edge research, close-knit community, impactful partnerships, and unique location make GW Engineering a premier destination for graduate engineering and computer science students,” Dean Lach stated. “Our graduates leverage their experiences and connections here to become global leaders and innovate the future.”
As the largest engineering and computer science school in the nation’s capital, GW Engineering continues to live up to its values and founding ideologies. In 1884, the school was established to position the country’s capital as a central influence on scientific education, research, and discovery. 140 years later, GW Engineering remains at the intersection of impact, innovation, and influence, developing cutting-edge technologies and responsibly translating them to society.
“GW Engineering faculty and students are leading initiatives in critical technical areas, such as artificial intelligence, energy innovation, fluid dynamics, cybersecurity, biomedical engineering, robotics, and smart cities,” said Professor Lijie Grace Zhang, Associate Dean for Research. “Through collaborations with GW’s other world-class schools, such as Law, Medicine, Business, and International Affairs, and in partnership with companies, government agencies, and other organizations, we are also exploring the societal context, public policies, business models, and use cases of such technologies. Using this sociotechnical approach, GW Engineering is helping to ensure that technological innovation positively impacts our world and everyday lives.”
GW Engineering offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from six academic departments: Biomedical Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Engineering Management & Systems Engineering, and Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. Many programs are also offered online, which primarily serve working professionals. In the latest U.S. News rankings for Online Graduate programs, GW Engineering Online was ranked 8th overall for online engineering graduate programs and 7th for graduate engineering programs for veterans.
“Individuals who pursue an advanced degree at GW Engineering can take advantage of leadership opportunities, increase their depth of knowledge in a specialized field, and broaden their understanding of the societal context of that field,” said Professor Jason Zara, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. “Our significant climb in rankings over the course of one year is the result of the expansion of our school’s reputation as a top academic destination for students and professionals interested in taking the next step in their studies, becoming leaders in their careers, and having a positive impact on the world.”
Check out GW Engineering’s rankings details in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Engineering Schools Rankings.