Iowa State's College of Engineering is one of the largest and most prestigious programs in the nation, offering 13 undergraduate and nine graduate majors to more than 4,200 students. Currently, the College is the nation’s 12th largest in undergraduate enrollment. It ranks fifth in size of engineering schools at land-grant universities.

This unique stature is based on a rich heritage of excellence. Here’s a brief look at the history of our development as an international leader in engineering education.

On July 2, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law a measure to establish one college in each state on federal land. Two months later, Iowa became the first state to accept the terms of the new law called the Morrill Land Grant College Act.

Iowa Agricultural College - later renamed Iowa State College - opened less than five years later, offering degrees in agriculture and "mechanics." From the mechanics course, the school began almost immediately to develop programs in several branches of engineering. The 26 members of Iowa State's first graduating class included four civil and two mechanical engineers.

Through 1891, more than 100 students received engineering degrees from Iowa State. From 1892 to 1903, another 250 engineering students graduated from Iowa State. Today, there are almost 35,000 living alumni from the college.

In 1904, with the appointment of Anson Marston as dean, engineering became a division of Iowa State College and its curricula began expanding. By 1914, Iowa State had organized departments of agricultural, ceramic, chemical, and architectural engineering. The agricultural engineering program was the first in the nation.

With Iowa State's elevation to university status in 1959, the Division of Engineering became the College of Engineering.