Sacramento State ECS Earns Top Rankings in 2027 U.S. News Report

By LyTesià Jackson

September 25, 2026

Sacramento State's College of Engineering & Computer Science continues to earn national recognition, with several undergraduate engineering programs ranking among the nation's best in the newly released 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.

The College's undergraduate engineering program ranked among the top 12% nationally among engineering programs at institutions where a doctorate is not offered. Three individual ECS programs also earned top national rankings:

• No. 8 – Civil Engineering
• No. 11 – Computer Engineering
• No. 17 – Electrical & Electronic Engineering

The rankings reflect the academic reputation of ECS programs and the continued work of faculty, staff and students across the College. U.S. News' undergraduate engineering specialty rankings are based on peer assessments of academic quality by engineering leaders at other institutions, making the recognition one measure of how Sacramento State's programs are regarded within the broader engineering education community. Current Sacramento State materials also identify Civil Engineering as No. 8 among non-doctorate-granting institutions.

Across ECS, students build their technical foundations while gaining practical experience through hands-on projects, research, student competitions, internships and connections with industry. Sacramento State's Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Electrical & Electronic Engineering programs prepare students for fields ranging from infrastructure and transportation to computing, electronics, communications and power systems.

The latest rankings come during a period of continued growth for ECS, including new blended bachelor's and master's degree pathways and Sacramento State's nearly $150 million investment in the new Ernest E. Tschannen Engineering Teaching and Research Building.

Congratulations to our Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering and Electrical & Electronic Engineering communities, and to the faculty, staff and students across ECS who contribute to the strength and continued growth of our programs.

Historic Investment Moves New ECS Building Forward

By LyTesià Jackson

September 1, 2026

Sacramento State President Luke Wood announced a major milestone for the College of Engineering & Computer Science during his annual Fall Address on Aug. 27, revealing that nearly $150 million in funding has been secured for the new Ernest E. Tschannen Engineering Teaching and Research Building.

The announcement served as the finale of the Fall Address, with a video highlighting Sacramento State engineering students followed by ECS students bringing student-built Hornet Racing vehicles into the University Union Ballroom. Wood described the new facility as the largest infrastructure investment in Sacramento State's history.

The funding allows Sacramento State to move forward with the long-awaited project, which will create modern instructional, laboratory and collaborative spaces designed to support hands-on learning, research, innovation and industry partnerships. The next phase will focus on planning and design, with opportunities for input from the campus community and public.

Funding for the project comes from the state of California, the California State University system and private support, including a historic $15 million naming gift from longtime Sacramento State supporter Ernest E. Tschannen. The building will carry Tschannen's name in recognition of his extraordinary support for the University and his commitment to creating educational opportunities for future generations.

Plans for a new engineering facility have been years in the making. The new building will provide much-needed space to support a growing College that now serves approximately 5,000 students across engineering, computer science and construction management programs.

For ECS, the building represents more than new infrastructure. Modern teaching and laboratory spaces will expand opportunities for students to learn by doing, while new research and collaborative environments will support interdisciplinary work among students and faculty. The facility will also strengthen connections with industry and create new possibilities for preparing graduates to meet the evolving workforce needs of the Capital Region and California.

The announcement marks an important new chapter for a project shaped by years of planning, advocacy and support from across the Sacramento State community. It also carries special significance following Tschannen's passing in September. His longstanding generosity and commitment to Sacramento State will continue through a facility designed to serve generations of future students.

As planning and design move forward, the Ernest E. Tschannen Engineering Teaching and Research Building represents a transformational investment in the future of ECS and a significant step toward expanding what is possible for engineering, computing and construction management education at Sacramento State.

[Read more about President Wood's 2026 Fall Address and the building announcement →] https://www.csus.edu/news/newsroom/stories/2026/8/fall-address.html