Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Iowa State University, University of Iowa and Dordt University award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Iowa: 363, 130 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Iowa colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 550 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 3 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 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,900 | 363 | 75% | — | $23,500 |
| 2 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,732 | 130 | 75% | — | $23,109 |
| 3 | Saint Ambrose University Davenport Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $73,622 | 13 | 61% | $21,680 | $26,996 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Iowa
Top 6 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 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 363 | $72,900 |
| 2 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 130 | $71,732 |
| 3 | Dordt University Sioux Center Private not-for-profit | 25 | Not reported |
| 4 | Loras College Dubuque Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 5 | Saint Ambrose University Davenport Private not-for-profit | 13 | $73,622 |
| 6 | William Penn University Oskaloosa Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
Iowa State University (363 graduates a year), University of Iowa (130 graduates a year) and Dordt University (25 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Iowa colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
Which Mechanical Engineering program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Iowa State University tops the list at $72,900. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Iowa is $99,230 (median $97,700), across about 3,470 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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