Louisiana · Mechanical Engineering

Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in Louisiana

Ranked by graduate earnings

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Louisiana Tech University and University of New Orleans are the top bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Louisiana by graduate earnings. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $75,311, College Scorecard. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Louisiana Tech University and University of Louisiana at Lafayette award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Louisiana: 123, 73 and 63 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Louisiana colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 357 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,…

Institutions
7
offering CIP 14.19
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
357
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$70,372
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
5
College Scorecard
Median net price
$33,106
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
55%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Mechanical Engineers
$120,520
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 5 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge Public · Bachelor's degree
$75,31112369%—$18,500
2Louisiana Tech University
Ruston Public · Bachelor's degree
$70,3727364%—$26,400
3University of New Orleans
New Orleans Public · Bachelor's degree
$68,9684338%—$19,000
4University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree
$63,8126353%—$22,175
5Southern University and A & M College
Baton Rouge Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$75,0011927%—$29,500

Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Louisiana

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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge Public
123$75,311
2Louisiana Tech University
Ruston Public
73$70,372
3University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette Public
63$63,812
4University of New Orleans
New Orleans Public
43$68,968
5McNeese State University
Lake Charles Public
24Not reported
6Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans Private not-for-profit
12Not reported
Show the other 1 Louisiana colleges offering Mechanical Engineering
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Southern University and A & M CollegeBaton RougePublic19

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+9.1%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~18,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$102,320
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingScienceMathematicsActive Learning

What Mechanical Engineers earn in Louisiana

Jobs in Louisiana
1,890
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$120,520
median $119,540
Best-paying metro
$136,970
Baton Rouge, LA

Related careers

Cost Estimators
$80,280 avg · 2,680 jobs
Mechanical Engineers
$120,520 avg · 1,890 jobs
Aerospace Engineers
$143,670 avg · 90 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Louisiana.

Which Louisiana colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (123 graduates a year), Louisiana Tech University (73 graduates a year) and University of Louisiana at Lafayette (63 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Louisiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Louisiana colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.

What is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in Louisiana?+

By graduate earnings, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College leads among bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Louisiana, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $75,311, College Scorecard. Louisiana Tech University and University of New Orleans follow. By degrees awarded, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is the largest, with 123 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Mechanical Engineering program in Louisiana has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College tops the list at $75,311. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Louisiana?+

The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Louisiana is $120,520 (median $119,540), across about 1,890 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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