A Cyclone Engineer
in the Making

You know you’re an engineer in the making. You love to be creative and problem-solve. But maybe right now you can see yourself in more than one major and field of engineering. (We agree: All our majors are great and all of them lead to great jobs after graduation.) Our unique engineering undeclared program is designed to answer your questions, help you discover your unique engineering passions, and guide you along your academic plan, all without missing a beat toward graduation.

Check out your opportunities and outcomes as a Cyclone Engineer!

  • 96%

    employed or continuing education within six months of graduation


  • $78,000

    average starting annual salary
     


  • $23/hr

    average earnings for internships and co-ops
     

Finding your path

Gathering more info is always helpful when deciding your future path. So, we offer great resources and hands-on experiences in all our majors so you can decide what engineering direction to go in.

Engineering Exploratory learning community

More than 90% of our engineering students are involved in a learning community, which is a major key to our students’ successes in their first year.

The undeclared option provides a built-in community for students just like you—of which there are many! More than 200 students participate in our Engineering Exploratory learning community each year, working together with peer mentors and faculty to explore all the majors and build a foundation in engineering thinking that will serve you in whichever major you choose.

Engineering Exploration Learning Community

undeclared-advising

One-on-one advising just for undeclared students

Our engineering undeclared advisors are fully dedicated to each student’s academic success, which is different for everyone.

You’ll collaborate with advisors on creating a fully individualized and unique four-year course plan that is designed to help you fulfill your academic goals, give you freedom to explore within or outside the engineering programs, and most importantly, provide clarity on how you can best apply your unique skills and talents to your coursework and career.

Nick Tader, undeclared engineering student who selected materials engineering, examines blown glass from Iowa State’s own Gaffers Guild

From the minute I decided to transfer here, I had support. An advisor helped make the process go smoothly and created a schedule of classes that fit best with me and allowed me to explore other disciplines within the college.

Read his story

Nick Tader, undeclared engineering to materials engineering

What can I study?

The undeclared option will not delay your academic progress, since all engineering majors take a common core of general education and introductory engineering classes their first year.

Engineering Basic Curricula

For the 2024-25 academic year, our undeclared engineering students preferred these additional studies:

Undeclared Engineering at Iowa State

  • The Engineering 1010 course will dive further in-depth on the specific fields of study that Iowa State offers our engineering students.
  • Joining an engineering club is a great way to gain some early hands-on experience in different interdisciplinary teams, labs, and projects. With more than 90 engineering student clubs and organizations, you’re bound to find the right fit for you!

Your Path in the Making

Our commitment to student success runs deep, and it doesn’t stop with you. Our students flourish in any program they pick, and it’s our goal to help you find the right one.