Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Duke University, North Carolina A & T State University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte are the top bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. Duke University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $89,938, College Scorecard. North Carolina State University at Raleigh, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Duke University award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in North Carolina: 406, 251 and 161 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 North Carolina colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 912 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 4 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 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $89,938 | 161 | 97% | $16,260 | $10,000 |
| 2 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,278 | 90 | 57% | — | $29,822 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,178 | 251 | 69% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,078 | 406 | 85% | — | $24,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in North Carolina
Top 5 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 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public | 406 | $69,078 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public | 251 | $69,178 |
| 3 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit | 161 | $89,938 |
| 4 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro Public | 90 | $72,278 |
| 5 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 4 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
North Carolina State University at Raleigh (406 graduates a year), University of North Carolina at Charlotte (251 graduates a year) and Duke University (161 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 North Carolina colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
What is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in North Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, Duke University leads among bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in North Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $89,938, College Scorecard. North Carolina A & T State University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte follow. By degrees awarded, North Carolina State University at Raleigh is the largest, with 406 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Mechanical Engineering program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Duke University tops the list at $89,938. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in North Carolina is $107,350 (median $100,720), across about 9,560 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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