Best Engineering PhD Programs in New England?

Graduate School
1

Hi all,

I am applying to mechanical engineering PhD programs in New England. The research that interests me is typically biomedical in nature. I am having a difficult time finding a list of the best programs in New England. Until now I have had to use the US News “Best Engineering Schools” ranking. This is helpful, but since this is for the entire country and all departments, I suspect that a lot of respectable programs just in New England have fallen between the cracks. In other words, I know MIT, Harvard, Cornell, BU, etc. have great programs, but what are some often overlooked schools with strong engineering grad programs? Schools with strong engineering programs in general will be helpful, but those with significant biomedical research would be most helpful.

Thanks!

Edit: This may be helpful to spot some schools I’ve missed. I have already chosen the following schools as candidates:

WPI
Tufts
UConn
Dartmouth

2

Why do you have to stay in New England?

What is “overlooked”? The National Research Council has Brown as one of the top 5-10 schools in mechanical engineering PhD programs, but you didn’t mention it. Yale is another one you didn’t mention. But I don’t think of those as overlooked. Northeastern seems to have a fairly well-regarded program.

New York is not New England, but if you are willing to look there, there’s Stony Brook, and also University of Rochester. Binghamton and Buffalo are also ranked around UConn and BU.

3

If you’re willing to go just outside of New England but still on the east coast, there’s Penn and Johns Hopkins.

4

Thank you for your suggestions.

juillet: I hadn’t considered Stony Brook. It looks like they have a good biomedical department, too.

RenaissanceMom: I originally had Johns Hopkins on my list when I was looking at schools throughout the country, but I was advised against applying. I can’t remember why. Maybe it was out of my reach?

5

Given the GRE you reported in your other post, it will be a challenge to get full consideration at some of the schools mentioned above. Your choices are reasonable but you might also consider UMass-Lowell as a sort of safety. They have both a BME and ME graduate program.

6

Thanks xray!