Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in Arkansas
Ranked by graduate earnings
Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas and Arkansas Tech University are the top bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Arkansas by graduate earnings. Arkansas State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $74,284, College Scorecard. University of Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas State University award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Arkansas: 141, 45 and 24 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Arkansas colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 256 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Mechanical Engineering is a dynamic field that focuses on the study of physical machines and mechanisms, emphasizing force and movement. This program is designed for students interested in applying principles of engineering physics,…
Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,284 | 24 | 55% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,407 | 141 | 71% | — | $23,014 |
| 3 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,765 | 45 | 49% | — | $22,970 |
| 4 | Harding University Searcy Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $53,229 | 14 | 69% | $19,423 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Arkansas
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville Public | 141 | $71,407 |
| 2 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville Public | 45 | $68,765 |
| 3 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro Public | 24 | $74,284 |
| 4 | John Brown University Siloam Springs Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 6 | Harding University Searcy Private not-for-profit | 14 | $53,229 |
| 7 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia Public | 3 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in Arkansas
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Arkansas.
Which Arkansas colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
University of Arkansas (141 graduates a year), Arkansas Tech University (45 graduates a year) and Arkansas State University (24 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Arkansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Arkansas colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
What is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in Arkansas?+
By graduate earnings, Arkansas State University leads among bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Arkansas, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $74,284, College Scorecard. University of Arkansas and Arkansas Tech University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Arkansas is the largest, with 141 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Mechanical Engineering program in Arkansas has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Arkansas State University tops the list at $74,284. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Arkansas?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Arkansas is $88,340 (median $80,180), across about 1,410 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Mechanical Engineering program?+
Mechanical Engineering is a dynamic field that focuses on the study of physical machines and mechanisms, emphasizing force and movement. This program is designed for students interested in applying principles of engineering physics,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, science, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Mechanical Engineers?+
The national job outlook is about +9.1% growth with around 18,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card