While many technical and scientific career fields are beginning to grow, industry trained professionals are needed to fill existing and new career opportunities. According to experts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is becoming more and more critical for many different reasons. In fact, since the Obama Administration, and now present in the Trump Administration, government initiatives have been developed and implemented to not only help fund STEM programs, but also motivate potential students, and bring awareness to the industry itself. As STEM careers are expanding, more and more educational institutions are adopting STEM-based programs into their curriculum. Here is a list of some of the top-rated STEM universities of 2018:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Cambridge, MA
First on the list, and ranked number one in fields such as engineering and technology, chemical engineering, civil and structural engineering, and many others, MIT is a top-rated institution that provides high performing academic scholars with STEM-based programs. A highly selective program, only 8% of applicants are granted acceptance into MIT. Upon graduating one of these programs, MIT grads can earn close to an $80,000 salary. The university offers undergraduate students additional programs such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which gives students the opportunity to partner with faculty on research projects or new innovative ideas; over 90% of graduates complete this program during their time at the university.
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, CA
Harvey Mudd College is a smaller, private institution, that isn’t usually featured on globally ranked lists; however, when it comes to STEM, Harvey Mudd is one of the finest engineering institutions in the world. As a smaller college, it provides students with small class sizes that allow for a hands-on, personalized, experience; students can work closely with their peers and professors to maximize their potential to learn. Forbes ranked this institution number 3 on their list of Top 25 STEM Colleges of 2018. Harvey Mudd provides students with a strong foundation for math, science, engineering, and even, liberal arts.
California Institute of Technology (CalTech)
Pasadena, CA
The California Institute of Technology, more commonly referred to as CalTech, makes the list for being one of the top science and technology universities in the world. Similar to MIT, CalTech also has a low acceptance rate of about only 8%. A research-focused university, CalTech offers students many undergraduate programs, consisting of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). 85% of applicants participate in this program and experience different research opportunities that help shape their academic career.
The University of Texas at Austin (UT)
Austin, TX
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the top Technology universities in the nation. Students at UT can focus on subjects such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, or data mining. Special programs at UT, such as their successful program CyberCorps: Scholarship for Services (SFS), provide students with the opportunity to experience the latest innovations in technology. Additionally, Cybersecurity majors that obtain an Information Technology certificate during their first two years at UT can receive a full scholarship and additional funds each year, provided the student works in cybersecurity for a federal or state agency after graduation.