What Schools Have Engineering Degrees in Kentucky?

Several four-year public institutions in Kentucky offer students undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering. Explore the programs and areas of specialization below.

What You Need to Know

If you want to study engineering in Kentucky, 4-year, public universities in the state offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in the field. You can expect to spend 4-5 years working toward a bachelor's degree, and you'll need 1-2 years to complete a master's degree. Earning a doctoral degree could take 4-7 years. Continue reading to find out more about schools in Kentucky where you can earn a degree in engineering.

Universities Offering Bachelor's Degrees in Engineering

University of Kentucky

To be considered for admission at UK's College of Engineering, you will need an ACT math score of at least 23 or an SAT math score of at least 540. You'll also need to take a math placement test upon admission. Most of the engineering programs require you to take four semesters of calculus, and two semesters each of physics and chemistry, as well as a professions class. You'll also take general studies courses, major core courses within your chosen engineering specialty and elective courses. At least a 2.0 GPA is required to graduate from an engineering program.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science
• Specialization Areas: Biosystems engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, mining engineering
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $12,245 for in-state students per year, $29,099 for out-of-state students per year (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Completion of high school courses in areas including English, math, science, social studies, foreign language, health, physical education and arts
• Admission Requirements: Academic letter of recommendation
• School Type: 4-year, public; 29,182 students (22,136 undergraduate)

University of Louisville

The University of Louisville requires engineering applicants to have a minimum ACT composite math and science score of 24 or an SAT combined score of 1090 with a math score of 560. All engineering programs begin with you taking general studies and pre-engineering coursework; if you meet the GPA requirements, you'll be accepted into a specific engineering department to continue your studies. Some of the school's engineering degree programs are 4-year programs awarding a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, while others are 5-year, joint programs that award both a B.S. and a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science
• Specialization Areas: (4-year degree) Electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science; (5-year joint programs available) Civil engineering, industrial engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, bioengineering
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time, for traditional programs, 5 years, full-time, for joint degree programs
• Tuition and Fees: $11,656 for in-state students per year, $27,278 for out-of-state students per year (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: High school coursework in calculus or pre-calculus, chemistry and physics
• Requirements: High school counselor verification form (for high school students taking college-level classes
• School Type: 4-year, public; 21,430 students (15,641 undergraduate)

Western Kentucky University

The mechanical and civil engineering programs at Western Kentucky University (WKU) are run jointly with the University of Kentucky, and the electrical engineering program is run jointly with the University of Louisville. Each program requires completion of 16 hours of coursework taught by professors from the sister university via interactive video services, and you'll earn a degree with the names of both universities. At WKU, you begin as a pre-engineering major, and once you have completed a series of classes with a 2.5 GPA, you'll be admitted to the engineering school. In any of these majors, you'll take courses in calculus, differential equations and physics or chemistry. You'll also take coursework specific to your major, such as fluid mechanics, digital circuits or foundation engineering.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science
• Specialization Areas: Civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $10,512 for in-state students per year, $26,280 for out-of-state students per year (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: High school coursework in areas including English, math, science, social studies, foreign language, health, physical education and arts
• Admission requirements: Laptop (for mechanical engineering students)
• School Type: 4-year, public; 19,456 students (17,0302 undergraduate)

Universities Offering Master's Degrees in Engineering

Murray State University

The graduate program at Murray State University is designed for students with a background in science, technology, engineering or business management - or for those with sufficient mathematical backgrounds. The program is primarily designed for individuals interested in working in the manufacturing or chemical processing industries. Required coursework includes classes in engineering economic analysis, systems management technology and industrial ecology. Elective courses can cover a wide variety of topics; however, not more than two can be taken from the College of Business.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Applied Engineering and Technology Management
• Program Length: 30 credit hours (roughly 1-2 years, full time)
• Tuition and Fees: $9,114 for in-state students per year, $14,400 for out-of-state students per year (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.25, approval of academic department, undergraduate math and science courses
• Requirements: Proof of residency to determine tuition
• School Type: 4-year, public; 9,454 students (8,056 undergraduate)

University of Louisville

The University of Louisville offers two types of master's degrees in engineering, including an M.Eng and an MS. The M.Eng. program is generally completed as part of a 5-year undergraduate/graduate degree, but can be separately awarded by any of the engineering departments. The MS program is designed for individuals who already hold an undergraduate degree. All M.Eng. and MS engineering programs require 30-32 hours of graduate-level coursework, a 3.0 GPA and the production of a thesis, paper or project to graduate. If you lack any required undergraduate coursework, you'll need to fulfill those requirements by taking undergraduate classes prior to commencing graduate studies. The school also offers doctoral programs in six areas of engineering.

• Program Name: Master of Science (MS), Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
• Specialization Areas: (MS) Chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering; (M.Eng.) Bioengineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering and computer science, engineering management
• Program Length: 30-32 credit hours (roughly 1-2 years, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees: $12,880 for in-state students per year, $26,650 for out-of-state students per year (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Baccalaureate degree (in progress or completed) in applicable field, specific course prerequisites vary by department
• Admissions Requirements: GRE test scores, TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international students), two letters of recommendation for most engineering options, personal statement (for civil, computer science and chemical engineering)
• School Type: 4-year, public; 21,430 students (15,641 undergraduate)

Universities Offering Doctoral Degrees in Engineering

University of Kentucky

The Ph.D. programs at the University of Kentucky are primarily for students who seek to perform research and teach at the collegiate level. In most of these programs, you'll take coursework to earn a master's degree and then complete an additional year or more of classes at the upper graduate level. You'll also be required to meet with academic advisors to create a coursework plan, to pass the qualifying examination, to put forth your research proposal and to complete your dissertation. Some programs have very specific coursework requirements and some require facility in a foreign language. Within each degree option, there are several sub-specializations available.

• Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Specialization Areas: Biomedical engineering, biosystems and agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, mining engineering
• Program Length: 4-7 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $13,052 for in-state students per year, $31,364 for out-of-state students per year (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Engineering (other degrees or specializations may be acceptable), specific prerequisites vary based on undergraduate coursework and selected degree area
• Requirements: GRE scores, TOEFL or IELTS scores (for non-native English speakers), some programs require three academic letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose and/or a resume
• School Type: 4-year, public; 29,182 students (22,136 undergraduate)

Students in Kentucky can earn their bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree in engineering from several different public institutions, and they can choose from a wide variety of concentrations, including biomedical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering.