Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan State University and Kettering University are the top bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Michigan by graduate earnings. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $82,823, College Scorecard. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan Technological University and Michigan State University award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Michigan: 461, 305 and 275 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 17 Michigan colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 1,898 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 10 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,823 | 461 | 93% | — | $21,750 |
| 2 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,259 | 275 | 81% | — | $24,000 |
| 3 | Kettering University Flint Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,307 | 133 | 71% | $30,880 | $28,000 |
| 4 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,552 | 27 | 67% | $16,109 | — |
| 5 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,213 | 134 | 58% | — | $25,000 |
| 6 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,321 | 66 | 61% | $32,679 | $27,000 |
| 7 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,823 | 43 | 48% | — | $26,679 |
| 8 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,777 | 66 | 67% | — | $28,000 |
| 9 | University of Michigan-Flint Flint Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,974 | 27 | 40% | — | $31,000 |
| 10 | Michigan Technological University Houghton Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,922 | 305 | 68% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Michigan
Top 10 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public | 461 | $82,823 |
| 2 | Michigan Technological University Houghton Public | 305 | $74,922 |
| 3 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public | 275 | $80,259 |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn Public | 139 | $70,688 |
| 5 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public | 134 | $78,213 |
| 6 | Kettering University Flint Private not-for-profit | 133 | $79,307 |
| 7 | Wayne State University Detroit Public | 79 | $74,457 |
| 8 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo Public | 79 | $68,260 |
| 9 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public | 66 | $75,777 |
| 10 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield Private not-for-profit | 66 | $77,321 |
ShowHide the other 7 Michigan colleges offering Mechanical Engineering
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saginaw Valley State University | University Center | Public | 43 |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit | Private not-for-profit | 27 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti | Public | 27 |
| University of Michigan-Flint | Flint | Public | 27 |
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant | Public | 25 |
| Lake Superior State University | Sault Ste Marie | Public | 11 |
| Muskegon Community College | Muskegon | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (461 graduates a year), Michigan Technological University (305 graduates a year) and Michigan State University (275 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 17 Michigan colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
What is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in Michigan?+
By graduate earnings, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads among bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Michigan, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $82,823, College Scorecard. Michigan State University and Kettering University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is the largest, with 461 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Mechanical Engineering program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor tops the list at $82,823. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Michigan is $112,320 (median $104,890), across about 34,630 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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