* The École des Ponts et Chaussées (School of Bridges and Roads) in France (founded in 1747): This is often considered a strong contender for the title, as it focused on civil engineering and played a crucial role in developing modern engineering practices. Its curriculum and focus on practical application were highly influential.
* The Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, England (founded in 1741): While a military academy, it included significant engineering instruction, particularly in areas relevant to fortifications and weaponry, making it a significant early institution of engineering education.
It's important to note that other institutions around the world offered training in engineering-related skills before and around this time, but the École des Ponts et Chaussées and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich stand out for their formal structure, systematic curriculum, and lasting influence on the development of engineering as a profession. Therefore, neither can definitively claim the title, and the answer depends on one's specific definition of "engineering college."