As part of North Carolina State University's mission to create an exciting and enriching environment in which students can grow and thrive as individuals, the College of Engineering was established for talented and innovative students interested in pursuing a career in engineering. Aside from excellent academic programs, the College of Engineering's high tech lab facilities and cutting edge research technology make it the ideal setting for both in-class and hands-on learning in the field of engineering.

The College of Engineering offers a number of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degree programs, ranging from aerospace engineering and biomedical engineering to nuclear engineering and computer science. The college's nuclear engineering program has been rated one of the best in the world. Certain programs are also offered via distance education, such as civil engineering, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering, to name a few. The College of Engineering's Engineering Online program is specifically designed to meet the needs of working professionals who wish to enhance their education and career skills by enrolling in an engineering or computer science program that can be completed from home.

According to the 2006 edition of U.S. News and World Report, the College of Engineering's undergraduate engineering degree program is ranked 15th among public engineering colleges. Students who attend North Carolina State University's College of Engineering have access to numerous educational opportunities. For instance, many of them participate in the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program (EEP), which gives students the chance to be involved in the prototyping of new products and their development. Budding researchers can also participate in the college's annual undergraduate research symposium.