Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Northwestern University and McHenry County College award the most Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians degrees and certificates in Illinois: 79, 22 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Illinois colleges offer Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians and award 163 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians program prepares students for careers in the engineering and technology fields, focusing on the design, creation, and analysis of mechanical systems. This program is ideal for…
Top institution, 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 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,503 | 79 | 62% | — | $19,187 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians degrees in Illinois
Top 7 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 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 79 | $62,503 |
| 2 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 22 | Not reported |
| 3 | McHenry County College Crystal Lake Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 4 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 5 | Oakton College Des Plaines Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | College of Lake County Grayslake Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 7 | Illinois Central College East Peoria Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Illinois colleges offering Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triton College | River Grove | Public | 31 |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians (SOC 17-3027).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians degrees?+
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (79 graduates a year), Northwestern University (22 graduates a year) and McHenry County College (13 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Illinois colleges offer Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians.
Which Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale tops the list at $62,503. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in Illinois is $79,370 (median $77,020), across about 1,170 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians program?+
The Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians program prepares students for careers in the engineering and technology fields, focusing on the design, creation, and analysis of mechanical systems. This program is ideal for…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians?+
The national job outlook is about 0.0% growth with around 3,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Associate'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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