Clark School Ranked No. 9 in Online Graduate Engineering

The University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering has been ranked No. 9 in the nation for online graduate engineering programs by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 Best Online Programs rankings.

“Online programs play a vital role in making engineering careers more accessible for anyone with the passion to pursue them. With world-class programs led by exceptional instructors, the Clark School is positioned to help those students become the engineers who are reshaping our society,” said Clark School Dean Samuel Graham, Jr. “We are proud of this ranking, reflecting our dedication to expanding educational access while meeting the needs of individual students. Congratulations to our faculty and staff, whose hard work continues to drive the success of our online programs.”

First ranked in the top 10 in 2024, the Clark School’s online programs have consistently ranked highly amongst some of its finest peers in online engineering graduate education, showing a strong commitment to excellence in distance learning.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the top 10 online graduate engineering programs in the country for the second year in a row,” said Dr. George Syrmos, Assistant Dean for Continuing Education. “This ranking reflects our ongoing commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education to engineers across the globe, empowering them to lead and innovate in their fields.”

Offered through Maryland Applied Graduate Engineering (MAGE), the online programs deliver master of engineering degrees of the same high quality as their on-campus counterparts: Bioengineering, Cloud Engineering, Cybersecurity, Embedded Systems, Energy Systems Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Project Management, Reliability Engineering, Robotics, Software Engineering, and Systems Engineering. For students who endeavor to strengthen their engineering skills without pursuing a full degree, graduate certificates are also available in all of these areas, as well as in Hypersonics.

“The challenges confronting our society—from climate change to advances in bioengineering and computing—are largely addressed through the ingenuity and efforts of engineers,” said Syrmos. “For 30 years, MAGE has remained committed to providing our students with the essential tools to tackle these pressing issues today and in the years to come, while fostering a diverse and highly skilled engineering workforce.”

“The challenges confronting our society—from climate change to advances in bioengineering and computing—are largely addressed through the ingenuity and efforts of engineers. For 30 years, MAGE has remained committed to providing our students with the essential tools to tackle these pressing issues today and in the years to come, while fostering a diverse and highly skilled engineering workforce."

Dr. George Syrmos, Assistant Dean for Continuing Education

Founded in 1994, MAGE has grown from seven to 19 program options, delivering a comprehensive portfolio of graduate engineering programs in areas that address the demands of the global marketplace. A flexible online format was introduced in 2003, allowing working professionals to earn a master’s degree while balancing careers and personal commitments.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on a variety of factors, including student engagement, faculty credentials, peer reputation, and the quality of student services and technology. The Clark School’s top 10 placement highlights its strength in these areas and its dedication to providing a world-class education to a diverse, global student body. To view the complete rankings, visit www.usnews.com/education/online-education/engineering/rankings. U.S. News & World Report releases yearly rankings of colleges, universities, and high schools in the U.S. in several different categories.

To learn more about the University of Maryland’s Professional Master of Engineering and Graduate Certificate in Engineering programs, specifically designed for working engineers and technical professionals, visit mage.umd.edu.

About the A. James Clark School of Engineering

The University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering is a premier program, ranked among the top 20 in the world. Located just a few miles from Washington, D.C., the Clark School is at the center of a constellation of high-tech companies and federal laboratories, offering students and faculty access to unique professional opportunities.

Our broad spectrum of academic programs, including the world’s only accredited undergraduate fire protection engineering program, is complemented by a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, early hands-on educational experiences, and participation in national and international competitions.

The Clark School is leading research advancements in aerospace, bioengineering, robotics, nanotechnology, disaster resilience, energy and sustainability, and cybersecurity. From the universal product code to satellite radio, SMS text messaging to the implantable insulin pump, our students, faculty, and alumni are engineering life-changing innovations for millions. Learn more at www.eng.umd.edu.

Published January 21, 2025