Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in District of Columbia
Ranked by graduate earnings
George Washington University, The Catholic University of America and Howard University award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees and certificates in District of Columbia: 65, 29 and 19 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 District of Columbia colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 129 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 2 institutions, 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 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,361 | 65 | 84% | $29,789 | $21,500 |
| 2 | The Catholic University of America Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,409 | 29 | 79% | $27,724 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in District of Columbia
Top 4 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit | 65 | $82,361 |
| 2 | The Catholic University of America Washington Private not-for-profit | 29 | $76,409 |
| 3 | Howard University Washington Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of the District of Columbia Washington Public | 16 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in District of Columbia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in District of Columbia.
Which District of Columbia colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
George Washington University (65 graduates a year), The Catholic University of America (29 graduates a year) and Howard University (19 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees and certificates in District of Columbia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 District of Columbia colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
Which Mechanical Engineering program in District of Columbia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, George Washington University tops the list at $82,361. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in District of Columbia?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia is $138,500 (median $133,300), across about 510 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.
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