Which is the best engineering school in France? The complete 2026 guide

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Formations | Vie du campus

This comprehensive guide explores rankings, selection criteria and highlights schools like ESTIA that are redefining excellence in higher education. The aim is to provide you with a detailed analysis to help you navigate through the rankings in L'Étudiant, L'Usine Nouvelle or Figaro Étudiant, while incorporating essential human factors such as well-being and personal fulfilment.

Finding the best engineering school is a challenge for thousands of students every year. Between preparatory classes, post-bac courses and the jungle of specialisations, how do you make the right choice?

What are the rankings for the top engineering schools in 2025?

Every year, the specialist French media publish their eagerly awaited rankings of engineering schools. These rankings are invaluable tools, but they need to be read with discernment. They assess schools on a variety of criteria: academic excellence, research, proximity to companies, international outlook and professional integration. Students and their families pay particular attention to these publications to help them make their choices.

L'Étudiant, l'Usine Nouvelle and le Figaro rankings of engineering schools in 2025: an established but evolving hierarchy

The group of engineering schools A B C

In 2025, the hierarchy of the top engineering schools will continue to be dominated by the Parisian institutions and the historic schools. The famous "A B C" group of engineering schools still largely shapes recruiters' perceptions. Group A" schools such as École Polytechnique and Centrale-Supélec are at the top of the table. These institutions are recognised for their academic excellence and their ability to train high-calibre profiles. However, a detailed analysis reveals some interesting dynamics. Entry and exit salary figures are key indicators, but they do not tell the whole story about career success. Selectivity at entry is high, but professional success depends on much more than initial prestige. State schools also offer high-quality training, often with more affordable tuition fees.

The emergence of new criteria: Beyond raw performance

In addition to simple academic performance, new indicators are gaining in importance and increasingly influencing school rankings:

- Sustainable development: A school's ability to train engineers who are aware of ecological issues and to integrate the principles of sustainable development into its programmes.

- Social openness: Gender parity and the diversity of the profiles recruited, encouraging a wealth of exchanges and perspectives. The involvement of students in the school committee is also a sign of openness.

- Innovation and entrepreneurship: The number of start-ups created by students or spun out of an incubator, as well as the support given to businesses by an incubator. This is where schools such as ESTIA come into their own, offering a model that balances technical excellence and human development, making them leaders in these areas.

What are the top 10 engineering schools in France?

Defining the top 10 engineering schools is a complex exercise, because the 'best' depends on the aspirations of each individual. Nevertheless, by compiling the main rankings, a reference list emerges, often made up of the same prestigious names, reflecting the reputation of the school.

The traditional Top 10: The pillars of French engineering

  • 1. École Polytechnique (l'X)
  • 2. CentraleSupélec
  • 3. Mines Paris - PSL
  • 4. Ponts ParisTech
  • 5. Télécom Paris
  • 6. ISAE-SUPAERO (member of the ISAE Group, like ESTIA)
  • 7. ENSTA Paris
  • 8. Arts et Métiers
  • 9. INSA Lyon
  • 10. Centrale Lyon

These French engineering schools are renowned for their high level of expertise and world-renowned teaching and research staff. They offer engineering courses recognised by the CTI for their rigour. However, this list should not obscure the performance of other establishments in specific fields, such as ESTIA for certain specialisations.

What about the ranking of the world's best engineering schools?

Internationally, French engineering schools are doing well, particularly in the thematic rankings. MIT, Stanford and Cambridge often dominate the world rankings, but France stands out for its unique training model, which combines a solid scientific base with a strong general culture. The engineering qualification awarded by the CTI (Commission des Titres d'Ingénieur) is a globally recognised guarantee of quality, enabling graduates of the school abroad to enhance their career prospects. The proportion of international students and the proportion of foreign students are key indicators of this openness.

Which is the best engineering school in France? The case of ESTIA

This question is subjective and depends intrinsically on each student's professional and personal project. The 'best' school for an aeronautics enthusiast will not be the same as for a future expert in civil engineering or renewable energy. The best engineering school is the one that best matches your aspirations and personality.

ESTIA: Combining excellence and well-being, a Speak & Act 2026 accolade

If we move the cursor from pure performance to overall experience and fulfilment, ESTIA is a leading candidate. The Speak & Act 2026 ranking has just confirmed this once again: for the fourth year running, ESTIA has been crowned No. 1 "Best Experience". This label, based on students' opinions, measures the quality of student life, the relevance of teaching and the feeling of belonging. This is recognition of the second place it occupies in the hearts of its students.

Speak & Act 2026 AwardRank
Best Experience (Students)No. 1 (4 years running)
Best Employer (Employees)N°6

This leading position in terms of well-being is no accident. It's the result of a high student-teacher ratio, a rich community life and an exceptional living environment in the Basque Country. The school demonstrates that it is possible to aim for academic excellence while taking care of your students. Well-being during your studies is obviously an important criterion in your choice of schooling.

Which is the best post-bac engineering school? The ESTIA model

Choosing a post-bac school with an integrated preparatory course is an increasingly popular option for high school students and their families. It allows them to avoid the stress of national competitive exams after two years of preparatory classes and to immerse themselves directly in the school's culture, thus promoting better integration and a more serene career path.

The advantages of the post-bac model: an integrated, personalised pathway

Post-bac engineering schools such as ESILV Paris (or ESILV-Paris, ESILV Paris-La) or Polytech Montpellier offer a coherent and progressive five-year curriculum. ESTIA is fully in line with this model. As an engineering school with consular status, it offers controlled tuition fees while guaranteeing a diploma recognised by the CTI. This model allows a broader social opening and a greater diversity of student profiles.

Testimonial from Inès Sallaberry, a successful student at ESTIA

The experience of Inès Sallaberry, a student in the 2nd year of an international preparatory course with a Spanish major (class of 2029), is a perfect illustration of ESTIA's strengths. After completing a scientific baccalauréat (specialising in mathematics and physics and chemistry) at the Lycée Saint-Joseph in Hasparren, she chose the school for its international outlook and the opportunity to study at a school abroad for a double degree. She explains her choice: "I chose ESTIA because of the importance the school places on foreign languages and international outlook. I also chose ESTIA because of the possibility of obtaining a double degree. It was also an opportunity for me to stay in the Basque country, where the living environment is incredible. And last but not least, the friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to personalise your career path were other reasons for making this choice." Her project for a wired car, combining CAD and electronics, is an example of the action-based teaching advocated by the school. She was able to apply her knowledge in concrete terms and develop her sense of teamwork: "What I liked most was the fact that I was able to apply the knowledge acquired during the course in concrete terms. I also really enjoyed the teamwork, which I think is an important skill in the engineering profession. Watching the project evolve and come to fruition is also very motivating and rewarding Inès, who is preparing to continue her studies at the University of the Basque Country in Bilbao for her second semester, is a perfect example of the human dimension of the school, particularly through her dynamic community life within the women's rugby 7-a-side team. Her goal? To enter the engineering cycle on a sandwich course to work in the aeronautics sector in the methods or design offices, a field perfectly suited to ESTIA's membership of the ISAE Group.

What kind of engineer earns the most? Career prospects

The question of exit salary is a legitimate one and often an important criterion for future engineers. Historically, engineers from the finance, consulting and IT sectors, particularly those from schools specialising in computer science, have earned the highest salaries. Engineers specialising in artificial intelligence are particularly sought-after and enjoy attractive salaries. However, general engineers, such as those trained at ESTIA, benefit from a versatility that opens up a wide range of careers and ensures excellent career progression. Their ability to manage complex projects, from design to production, is a major asset in a constantly changing professional world. The presence of ESTIA alumni on LinkedIn bears witness to this diversity of career paths and the professional success of its graduates.

Growth sectors for engineers in 2026 and beyond

- Renewable energies: A rapidly expanding field looking for versatile and innovative profiles to meet the challenges of the energy transition. The best engineering schools are those that incorporate these issues into their teaching.

- Robotics and Mechanics: This sector is undergoing rapid change with Industry 4.0 and the relocation of manufacturing in France. The demand for engineers capable of designing intelligent automated systems, integrating cobotics (collaborative robotics) and optimising complex production lines is exploding. This is a buoyant field because it lies at the heart of technological sovereignty and the modernisation of factories, offering stimulating careers in the design of medical robots, defence systems or autonomous logistics solutions.

- French Tech Next: The start-up ecosystem is a breeding ground for opportunities for young graduates, valuing agility, innovation and the ability to create value. ESTIA, with its environment conducive to entrepreneurship, prepares its students for these challenges.

- Aeronautics and Space: This sector is a strategic pillar of the global economy, driven by major technological challenges such as the decarbonisation of air transport, the development of electric aviation and the exploration of 'New Space'. This is an extremely buoyant field, requiring constant innovation to design lighter, cleaner and more efficient aircraft. For a future engineer, it's a guarantee of working on high-tech projects on an international scale. Thanks to its membership of numerous alliances and structures (ISAE Group, ESA BIC Sud France, etc.), ESTIA offers privileged gateways to these careers of excellence, enabling its students to be at the forefront of tomorrow's aeronautical revolution.

Conclusion: ESTIA, a strategic choice for 2026 and the future

Ultimately, while the rankings in specialist media such as L'Étudiant and L'Usine Nouvelle are essential references, they need to be supplemented by a more personal analysis. The reputation of the school and its presence on LinkedIn are indicators, but the match with your life project is essential. ESTIA stands out not only for its academic excellence but also for its commitment to the well-being of its students, as demonstrated by its first place in Speak & Act's "Best Experience" ranking for the 4th year running.

ESTIA, with its roots in the prestigious ISAE Group, and its environment that fosters innovation and well-being, represents a choice for the future. It is a school that trains engineers ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow, whether technological, environmental or human. Whether you're interested in renewable energies, aeronautics, space, mechanics or IT, ESTIA offers you the tools to become the engineer of tomorrow, while enjoying an unforgettable student experience in the Basque Country. ESTIA is positioned as one of the best engineering schools for those looking for a comprehensive education, student fulfilment and a stimulating environment.

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