U.S. News & World Report released its annual national graduate school rankings March 30. For the second year in a row, the College of Engineering and all of the ranking-eligible graduate engineering programs housed within it received rankings.  

“This is a significant accomplishment that we are able to maintain two years in a row, particularly these two years,” College of Engineering Dean Manos Maragakis said. “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our students, faculty and staff have maintained a high level of accomplishment in teaching, outreach and research. The rankings are evidence of their tireless efforts to ensure we offer a globally competitive engineering and computer science education. I am proud of the sustained excellence of the College and the upward trajectory of its programs.”

 The  U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on an assessment of many metrics including Ph.D. student enrollment, research funding and peer perception, in addition to career outcomes of alumni and the aptitude of incoming students. This year, out of hundreds of colleges of engineering, only 149 colleges were ranked. The College of Engineering’s selection marks the tenth year in a row it has earned a spot in this elite company.

“With its world-renowned research programs and outstanding curriculum that prepares students for vital careers in our global community, the College of Engineering plays an important role in northern Nevada and beyond,” President Brian Sandoval said. “These rankings demonstrate exceptional scholarship, mentorship and leadership in key fields of study as the College continues its tradition of excellence.”

In the past year, the College has expanded its ability to support the ambitions of its students while performing research that helps local agencies and industries provide solutions to the problems facing the world. While catering recent research projects to the need to address the pandemic, the College opened the William N. Pennington Engineering Building. The 100-000-square-foot facility provides new laboratories, classrooms and workstations for students, faculty and staff in all five College departments. Among many projects, dedicated space within the new building was used to perform research designed to provide predictive capabilities to the northern Nevada region to determine the spread of COVID-19 up to a week ahead of traditional testing methods. 

“Part of the success of the College has always been our drive to ensure the safety of our community while addressing the greatest challenges we face,” Maragakis said. “With the opening of the building, we have expanded our ability to serve our region through research and cutting-edge curricula.”