In the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings of universities offering a Ph.D. in engineering, the College of Engineering at Wichita State University once again was ranked in the top 100 engineering graduate programs in the country and the only institution in Kansas to make it in the top 100.

The 2023 report by US News and World Report — released today — ranks Wichita State’s graduate program in engineering as No. 59 in the United States. That’s up from No. 77 last year and No. 94 the year before.

US News’ annual rankings are based on a number of factors, including reputation among peer institutions and industry recruiters, student selectivity, faculty resources and research expenditures.

WSU’s continued rise in prominence helps confirm what many in the industry already know: As Kansas’ only urban public research university, Wichita State helps meet industry’s needs through top-notch research while providing a well-rounded, affordable education to students. 

“The College of Engineering has exemplified the Wichita State spirit of innovation, which is evident by this prestigious ranking from U.S. News and World Report,” said Dr. Rick Muma, president of Wichita State. “In addition to the advancements made by our researchers, recognition from our peers and outside influencers that Wichita State is a preeminent urban-serving research institution is a value-added as we work to serve our community every day through our research and innovation.”

• Externally funded research has increased 30% in each of the past two years.
• Small program sizes, allowing for frequent, direct contact between students and faculty in the classroom and research lab.
• Abundant applied learning opportunities with a variety of faculty-led funded research.
• Multiple inventor competitions in which teams of graduate and undergraduate students build products in the Project Innovation Hub and GoCreate, a Koch collaborative.
• WSU recently created a new data analytics program that cuts across engineering, business and mathematics.

“Students have ample opportunities to put concepts learned in the classroom into practice in the real world, working with companies, many of whom have a presence on our Innovation Campus, and working with faculty on applied research that adds value,” says Anthony Muscat, dean of Wichita State’s College of Engineering.