Tulane University is expanding its engineering programs with the return of bachelor’s degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering beginning in fall 2027.
The new majors add disciplines designed around some of today’s fastest-growing fields across Louisiana, the Gulf South and the nation, from robotics and advanced manufacturing to semiconductors and quantum technology.
These additions make Tulane’s offerings in the field of engineering stronger than ever. They vastly enhance the university’s focus on high-skill workforce development that connects students with advanced career pathways, preparing them to lead in industries shaping the local, national, and global economy. The move also adds two engineering disciplines that were eliminated after the university restructured its undergraduate programming following Hurricane Katrina.
“This exponential growth in Tulane’s second largest school underscores the university’s commitment to academic excellence by offering the widest array of engineering majors as Tulane continues its unprecedented upward trajectory on every metric of university success,” Tulane University President Michael A. Fitts said. “These programs will prepare the next generation of engineers to lead in a rapidly changing world while helping drive innovation and economic impact across our region, address complex societal problems and improve lives.”
The new programs mark another major step forward in Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering, which in recent years has expanded its engineering curriculum, launched new graduate programs and invested in faculty and research. Mechanical and electrical engineering minors were launched in 2024, followed by master’s degree programs in both fields. Civil engineering, which returned first as an undergraduate minor, was subsequently expanded into a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a focus in water and environment in 2025. In the fall of 2027, the school will also offer a minor in Space Science and Engineering, another major growth industry in Louisiana.
Prospective students may want to check on the timeline for ABET accreditation of the re-established engineering majors at Tulane.
ABET accreditation for a new or re-established major program cannot be completed before the first students have graduated from the major program, but (if granted) is retroactive to those students.
Gender ratio still skews heavily female - and yes, this may help start to shift the trend some but I doubt it’ll do much unless they expect these programs to be very large.
I agree that is obviously true, though at top privates universities (ivy+ level) it is generally closer to 50/50… (even MIT /Mudd are balanced). I think most schools would actually really prefer it closer to that and this is a way to do it..
Tulane, at one point was 64%… not sure this year.. big difference, to me between 57 and 64 practically..and was getting NATIONAL press for the skew (which why I remember)
Their most recent class was 42/58 Male/Female - it’s been trending more towards male the last couple of years.
I agree that most schools would prefer to be closer to 50/50 but not sure the population dynamics can support achievement of such a goal. Depending on the data source it seems females make up 55-57% of the applicant/enrollment pool.
I think it is part of it (not all of it) given the way the demographics and norms of US are going.. We will never know for sure unless we are in the senior level admin meeting…
The women I know at MIT are INCREDIBLE (and more than equal their male counterparts)… they want to be where they aren’t in a tiny minority when they can afford it, at least.
They were pretty open in the notifications/publications, IMO. Cutting back some of their engineering after Katrina was a tough and painful decision, but based on where jobs/careers are going these days, its beyond time to bring them back.
