The ISE undergraduate program climbed from 13th to 11th in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. This jump puts the program just outside the nation’s Top 10 and highlights its strength in teaching, research and student success.

Attracting Students

Because of this higher ranking, more high school students and families will notice NC State ISE. Rankings often shape decisions and this recognition confirms the program’s quality courses, modern labs and career support. As the program nears the Top 10, ambitious students seeking the best opportunities will take notice.

Department Head Julie Swann explained, “ISE consistently has strong employability of graduates with positive salary outcomes, and high job satisfaction. In the last year alone, the new students entering ISE grew over 50%. We also spend time on outreach such as through high school camps and sharing the ISE story with Freshman at NC State, which helps us find students who are passionate about our discipline.”

Recruiting Faculty

The improved ranking also boosts faculty recruitment. Professors seek schools with momentum and national respect and ISE’s reputation now stands out. Being close to the Top 10 strengthens the department’s position. Recognition also helps faculty secure partnerships and larger research grants which directly benefit students.

According to Swann, “ISE is ranked in the top 10% of our peer degree programs nationwide. All of these factors help us continue recruiting excellent students and faculty.”

Adding Value for Students and Alumni

Because of the ranking climb, the value of an ISE degree continues to rise. Employers often see graduates from Top 10 programs as better prepared. Current students will benefit in the job market while alumni gain from the increased respect tied to their degrees.

Swann emphasized, “The Bachelor’s in ISE is an amazing value for students and alumni, with high documented return on investment for individuals and for the state as a whole. Increased visibility and rise in reputation increases the value of the degree, enhancing the marketability of our graduates to employers and signaling the quality of our education throughout the state, country, and beyond.”

Supporting College Growth

Meanwhile, the College of Engineering plans to grow enrollment by 40 percent. A Top 10 push in ISE helps attract the best students and professors to support this effort. At the same time, it ensures growth happens without lowering quality.

Looking Ahead

Although rankings are only one measure, this rise reflects the hard work of students, faculty and staff. Swann noted, “Our mission as a land grant university is focused on high-quality education, contributing to new knowledge, and impact communities and industry. We are continuously revising our curriculum and professional development, investing in new research areas such as applied Artificial Intelligence, and translating research into practice.”

She pointed to the senior design capstone as a shining example: “Our senior design capstone course is an excellent example of students impacting industry before even joining the workforce, where we have a history of partnering with companies, government, and non-profits to solve their challenges.”

Finally, Swann added, “While rankings are an imperfect system, I want to acknowledge the significant work on the part of our faculty, staff, students and alumni that have contributed to our recognition nationally and beyond. NC State has great programs, and we look forward to continuing to deliver while telling our story for increased visibility.”