Best Mechanical Engineering institutions in Illinois, 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 8 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 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,187 | 398 | 85% | — | $20,500 |
| 2 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,253 | 142 | 95% | $14,799 | $15,334 |
| 3 | Bradley University Peoria Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,746 | 62 | 76% | $21,768 | $27,000 |
| 4 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,871 | 218 | 62% | — | $21,500 |
| 5 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,454 | 30 | 62% | — | $24,250 |
| 6 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,069 | 137 | 49% | — | $25,000 |
| 7 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,546 | 71 | 57% | — | $23,110 |
| 8 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $65,386 | 110 | 75% | $19,899 | $27,000 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Illinois.
Which Mechanical Engineering program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign tops the list at $80,187. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Illinois is $104,460 (median $99,730), across about 9,920 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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