The Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH) are located in Lausanne and Zurich. The Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich (ETHZ) are among the strongest technical universities in the world. They are considered the best in training specialists in exact and engineering sciences, architects, developers of new technologies in building and communications, electronic equipment, and high-tech materials. Only these universities are funded from the federal budget. Among the faculty and scientific staff are many world-renowned scientists. The technical equipment of the universities is a matter of particular pride. For example, EPFL has its own nuclear reactor and a plasma physics laboratory. Students are actively involved in international research programs, and opportunities for postgraduate education are provided for them.

Education at these two universities is very intense, and not all enrolled students complete the full course. But the efforts invested justify themselves. The minimum salary for EPFL and ETHZ graduates is 5000 CHF per month. Employers line up to hire graduates. 90% of people who graduate from EPFL and ETHZ find jobs in Switzerland or European Union countries within three months of receiving their diploma.