Charlotte Engineering leads the mid-Atlantic battle for highest ranking increase
Online master’s degrees display rigor and resources as a top-tier institution
Up seven places in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 ranking, the William States Lee College of Engineering online master’s programs increased more than any other along the east coast from Georgia through Rhode Island. Nationally, this climb represents the eighth-highest increase, with the online engineering graduate programs landing at No. 56 of 111.
Included in this ranking are the M.S. in Construction and Facilities Engineering and the M.S. in Engineering Management programs, both which are offered in asynchronous and part-time modality, allowing students the flexibility to maintain a professional job while earning their degree in two years.
The Construction and Facilities Management program prepares students to manage, coordinate and supervise the construction process, from concept development through project completion. Learning best practices of procurement, facility operations, quality assurance, leadership and more, the Niners are immediately ready to lead upon graduation. The program has increased enrollment over 200% since its inception in 2023.
The Engineering Management program combines elements of various engineering disciplines with studies of business, system operations and organizational behavior, creating professionals with both technical and business management skills. With 94% of students attending part-time, they are able to continue working during the program. Coupled with the competitive tuition, especially for North Carolina residents, graduates earn a strong return on investment from the program over their lifetime.
Both programs offer on-campus options and early entry to undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte.
“UNC Charlotte’s engineering college is being recognized for the competitive caliber of academics and research that the college has been exhibiting for the past several years,” said Brett Tempest, associate dean of the W.S. Lee College of Engineering. “Our graduates are leading in industry and innovations around the world and this increase in our rankings spotlights the growing prestige of our programs and outcomes.”
U.S. News ranking methodology measures many criteria compared with peers across the country. W.S. Lee College of Engineering scored well across the board, including services and technologies available to the students, which were ranked in the top 7% in the nation. This recognition represents the top tier focus on and investment in STEM programs at UNC Charlotte.
UNC Charlotte overall ranked first in North Carolina for best online bachelor’s programs and second in the nation for veterans, including the B.S. in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology, Fire Safety Concentration. The Fire and Safety degree, listed among the university’s 11 fully online bachelor’s programs, is a pioneer in fire safety education, designed by and for fire service professionals. It provides a comprehensive curriculum focused on fire behavior, protection systems and principles of research investigation, and is offered both online and on-campus.
Learn more about the latest University ranking.
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