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Who we are

Visitors pose for pictures with an inflatable replica of the Statue of Liberty on frozen and snow-covered Lake Mendota near the shoreline of the Memorial Union Terrace

What sets us apart

We are a thriving, top-ranked college in Madison, Wisconsin—one of the best cities in the country. We think boldly and act confidently, not only as engineers, but as engaged citizens.

Everything we do begins with people.

As an engineering community, nurturing a culture of belonging is our shared responsibility. Each of each of us is a valued member of our college. We embrace unique perspectives, treat each other respectfully, and ensure all those around us feel welcome, included and empowered. We support each other in the ways we need it. Through our words and actions, we build people up. We bring everyone to the table and ensure they are heard. We make course-corrections so that we can improve, and we honor the history of our land.

This is an environment in which all people can individually thrive and succeed.

Engineering for all

We think differently, work together and solve real problems.

Building on more than 175 years of impact in education, research and service to society through one of the top universities in the world, we develop the leaders, knowledge and technologies that improve lives now and provide the foundation for a positive future. And we’re expanding! Where others see obstacles, we see the potential to stretch our creativity and come up with real solutions that matter. Importantly, we support our faculty, staff and students and make it easy for them to collaborate … with anyone, anywhere.
Students Grace Morgan and Quyen Tonnu piece together the seat of a toddler mobility trainer during the 2024 makeathon
November 13, 2024

Helping a ‘little’: Volunteers make wheels for kids who can’t walk

Stock photo of rural farm
November 4, 2024

With up to $50 million, team will improve energy access for rural Wisconsin residents

Stock image of solar panels
September 6, 2024

UW-Madison supports half-billion-dollar U.S. clean energy project to benefit rural Wisconsin communities

Learn more about the College of Engineering dean, associate deans and assistant deans and their roles within the college.
Leadership

We excel at the fundamentals, yet we’re key drivers of economic and social progress.

We play a crucial role in UW-Madison’s consistently high national ranking for research expenditures, as well as the number of patents filed through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), one of the oldest university technology-transfer offices in the nation. Through WARF, and endeavors such as spinoff companies and industry partnerships, the fruits of our research extend into businesses and industries worldwide.
120 million
annual research expenditures
140
invention disclosures annually
Facts and stats

We admit top students. Here, they grow as problem-solvers, professionals and leaders.

students working in the makerspace

In and outside of the classroom, we support our students’ success. In highly ranked majors, all students “do” engineering—through relevant courses in modern classrooms or labs, internships and co-operative work experiences, study abroad, student organizations, volunteer work, research, and more. Our design and innovation labs further develop creativity and foster exploration.

Our professors are well-funded, recognized researchers who enjoy teaching and strive to be the best they can be. They weave their research into their courses, which means our students learn the state of the art as it’s happening. Companies value our well-rounded, hard-working graduates (they tell us they come here to hire great engineers!), and annually, more than 4,500 employers recruit our students.

Student life Student services

Our alumni base is more than 50,000 strong.

graduating student at commencement

Among our alumni are leaders whose job titles not only include the word “engineer,” but also range from astronaut to CEO to entrepreneur and many, many, many more. They are deeply proud of their engineering education and the opportunities it has presented them.

College of Engineering alumni are part of the past, present and future of our service to the people of our planet. Through them, our college has influenced some of the greatest achievements in the world—including advances in health, energy, smart technologies, computing power and more.

Alumni