Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in Kentucky
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University and University of Kentucky are the top bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Kentucky by graduate earnings. University of Louisville leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $71,169, College Scorecard. University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Kentucky: 148, 119 and 28 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Kentucky colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 295 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 | University of Louisville Louisville Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,169 | 119 | 61% | — | $21,500 |
| 2 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,722 | 28 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | University of Kentucky Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,448 | 148 | 71% | — | $25,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Kentucky
Top 3 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 | University of Kentucky Lexington Public | 148 | $68,448 |
| 2 | University of Louisville Louisville Public | 119 | $71,169 |
| 3 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public | 28 | $70,722 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in Kentucky
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Kentucky.
Which Kentucky colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
University of Kentucky (148 graduates a year), University of Louisville (119 graduates a year) and Western Kentucky University (28 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Kentucky colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
What is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in Kentucky?+
By graduate earnings, University of Louisville leads among bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Kentucky, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $71,169, College Scorecard. Western Kentucky University and University of Kentucky follow. By degrees awarded, University of Kentucky is the largest, with 148 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Mechanical Engineering program in Kentucky has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Louisville tops the list at $71,169. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Kentucky?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Kentucky is $103,320 (median $101,050), across about 4,170 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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