Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in Minnesota
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Saint Cloud State University and Minnesota State University - Mankato are the top bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Minnesota by graduate earnings. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $73,433, College Scorecard. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Minnesota-Duluth and University of St Thomas award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Minnesota: 259, 106 and 96 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Minnesota colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 544 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 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,433 | 259 | 85% | — | $22,077 |
| 2 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud Public · Bachelor's degree | $70,179 | 29 | 40% | — | $27,090 |
| 3 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,919 | 33 | 54% | — | $27,886 |
| 4 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,440 | 96 | 76% | $28,888 | $27,000 |
| 5 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,764 | 106 | 65% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Minnesota
Top 7 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 Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis Public | 259 | $73,433 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth Public | 106 | $67,764 |
| 3 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul Private not-for-profit | 96 | $68,440 |
| 4 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato Public | 33 | $68,919 |
| 5 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud Public | 29 | $70,179 |
| 6 | Bethel University Saint Paul Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 7 | Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in Minnesota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Minnesota.
Which Minnesota colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (259 graduates a year), University of Minnesota-Duluth (106 graduates a year) and University of St Thomas (96 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Minnesota colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
What is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in Minnesota?+
By graduate earnings, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads among bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Minnesota, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $73,433, College Scorecard. Saint Cloud State University and Minnesota State University - Mankato follow. By degrees awarded, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is the largest, with 259 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Mechanical Engineering program in Minnesota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities tops the list at $73,433. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Minnesota?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Minnesota is $106,060 (median $99,140), across about 5,890 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.
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