Best Mechanical Engineering institutions in California, ranked by earnings
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 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University Maritime Academy Vallejo Public · Bachelor's degree | $92,315 | 43 | 60% | — | $19,690 |
| 2 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley Public · Bachelor's degree | $88,497 | 447 | 93% | — | $13,200 |
| 3 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $83,356 | 190 | 92% | $26,873 | $17,500 |
| 4 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo Public · Bachelor's degree | $83,011 | 309 | 86% | — | $20,500 |
| 5 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,865 | 55 | 88% | $44,094 | $19,500 |
| 6 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Public · Bachelor's degree | $81,108 | 125 | 83% | — | $15,908 |
| 7 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,016 | 322 | 93% | — | $17,000 |
| 8 | University of San Diego San Diego Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,962 | 42 | 84% | $26,035 | $26,093 |
| 9 | University of the Pacific Stockton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,785 | 28 | 69% | $23,964 | $28,596 |
| 10 | University of California - Davis Davis Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,231 | 182 | 86% | — | $15,000 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in California.
Which Mechanical Engineering program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), California State University Maritime Academy tops the list at $92,315. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in California is $131,130 (median $126,370), across about 27,090 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
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).
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