Ferris State University’s Automotive Engineering Technology Program ranked best in America

The Automotive Engineering Technology program at Ferris State University was recently ranked top in the country by a study conducted by College Factual. The study can be found here, and ranks the Best Automotive Engineering Technology Schools in America for 2025.

The director of the School of Automotive and Heavy Equipment at Ferris, Dan Meyers, was quoted in an article posted on the school’s website talking about how the program works in tandem with leaders in the industry to make sure that students are learning the most in demand skills.  He said, “The ranking is an awesome recognition, however, it is not a surprise. The AET program boasts amazing attributes such as outstanding faculty, relevant curriculum, and an unmatched legacy exemplified by highly successful alumni. It also transforms students from aspiring professionals into industry-ready leaders who are prepared to make a difference in the automotive industry.”

This claim is further evidenced by the fact that Ferris State’s College of Engineering Technology is the biggest in America in general, with its AET program itself also the biggest and most well considered.

Students attending can earn up to a bachelor’s degree, and the study put out by College Factual notes that it is the most popular program in Michigan, where the school is located.

Patrick English, a program coordinator at Ferris State and an AET professor, noted that the program always strives for various forms of recognition as a way to prove its quality. He said, “It's a great honor to be ranked as first in the nation and in Michigan and it shows that our approach to automotive engineering technology is what employers want. It also shows that the work we put into the program is being noticed and the more of our graduates that are employed in the industry the greater the demand is for them as their capabilities become known to more employers.”

English also noted that a range of industries are always finding themselves dependent on advancements in technology, so preparing students to arrive in the workforce already ahead of the curve is very important for the program.

“We are successfully keeping pace with technology and making sure the degree contains the elements that are in need to be successful in the automotive engineering technology jobs,” he said.

Another way that the University is working to ensure this is by providing the AET program and its students with hands-on resources that can be trained on so that students can apply those experiences to the workplace.

English elaborated this point, saying, “The Ferris AET degree provides students with a full and thorough education in automotive technology where they are fully capable of working in an independent garage or a dealership. Once the student is fully capable as a technician, they are then provided within engineering education second to none.

He then went on to talk about how this strategy sets the program apart from other similar programs, saying, “This approach is unique to Ferris State University, but it produces students who have the greatest number of employment opportunities working with automotive technology. This degree is also important for students who are interested in working with the technology of the automobile but not necessarily interested in being a technician in a bay. Our graduates are employed in a wide range of titles where they test vehicle emissions, safety, component endurance, or are engaged in failure analysis work.”

Even as Ferris is seen as a top academic university, not only in AET, but many fields of study, English noted that the drive to be among the best is never ending. Ferris works in collaboration with other organizations, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers, in order to ensure up-to-date technology, certifications, and career opportunities to students, as part of that effort. 

English noted that Ferris’ excellence is also due in part to decisions made administratively: “We will continue to work closely with our advisory committee to ensure that the degree continues to track the needs of business and industry to ensure that our students are receiving an education with maximum benefit relevant for today's world. We are currently working on providing some new equipment and introducing computer programs that are used in industry and will be an excellent addition to the program.”

More information about Ferris State University’s Automotive Engineering Technology program can be found at the school’s website.

More information about Ferris State University in general can be found at the school’s website.