Engineering Co-op

Set Yourself Apart

What’s different about RIT’s engineering education? It’s the opportunity to co-op and intern with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world experience from full-time, paid cooperative education and internships.

You’ll stand out from your competitors.

U.S. News and World Report badge for best co-op or internship program for 2025.

#6

Top School for Co-op or Internship Programs

Ranked among nation’s best in hands-on career preparation

100^%

Participation

All engineering and engineering technology majors participate in co-op

96^%

Undergraduate Outcomes Rate

Engineering and engineering technology students employed, in grad school, or pursuing military service or volunteering within six months of graduation.

^$19.75

Median Average Hourly Salary

Across All Engineering Co-ops

6 Reasons Why Co-ops and Internships Launch Engineering Careers

High Employment
There’s a reason 96% of RIT’s engineering and engineering technology students are employed or in grad school within six months of graduation. It’s all due to co-op. With co-op required for all engineering and engineering technology majors, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience that builds a resume that isn’t the least bit padded.

Gain Career Experience Early and Often
Engineering and engineering technology majors can begin co-ops and internships as early as the summer after their second year. You’ll begin to apply your engineering knowledge early in your course work, which broadens your knowledge and allows you to see connections between class work and real-world applications.

Explore a Range of Engineering Careers
With up to four blocks of co-op you can explore different career paths, try different industries, and test out work environments. You’ll not only gain hands-on experience, but you’ll learn more about the types of work you love and environments where you’ll thrive.

Earn a Full-Time Salary
Earn a full-time salary as you gain experience on co-op. This can be used to support your tuition and help offset college expenses, or it can set you up for financial independence after graduation

Connections That Lead to Success
You’ll interact with engineering industry experts, explore work environments, broaden your hands-on knowledge, connect with professionals and alumni, and apply your skills in real world settings. You’ll amass solid, career-focused experience that positions you for outstanding employment opportunities.

Develop Your Soft-Skills
RIT will teach you the technical and analytical skills that make you a knowledgeable engineer. But the soft skills–leadership, decisiveness, conflict-resolution, etiquette awareness, professionalism–those are the competencies that truly set you apart, and the skills that can only be learned on the job.

Here’s just a sample of some of the places around the world where you might find yourself working.

Learn more about RIT’s Outstanding Co-op Employers

Engineering Programs Co-op Schedules

Sample Schedule

Four Blocks (48 weeks)

The following engineering majors require four blocks of co-op: biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering technology, computer engineering, computer engineering technology, electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology, mechatronics engineering technology, microelectronic engineering, and robotics and manufacturing engineering technology.

	Fall	Spring	Summer
Year 1	Classes	Classes
Year 2	Classes	Classes
Year 3	Co-op	Classes	Co-op
Year 4	Classes	Co-op	Co-op
Year 5	Classes	Classes

Sample Schedule

Three Blocks (36 weeks) or Two Blocks (24 weeks)

The software engineering major requires three blocks of co-op and the packaging science requires two blocks of co-op.

	Fall	Spring	Summer
Year 1	Classes	Classes
Year 2	Classes	Classes	Co-op *
Year 3	Classes	Classes	Co-op
Year 4	Classes	Classes	Co-op
Year 5	Classes	Classes

* Software engineering majors will begin their first co-op in the summer after their second year.