Best degree programs for Mechanical Engineers, ranked by enrollment
3 college programs and 446 schools train Mechanical Engineers. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $104,110 median wage, 296,810 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
3 college programs at 446 schools train mechanical engineers, graduating 43,817 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Mechanical Engineering. The job pays a median of $104,110 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About mechanical engineers
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
3 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechanical Engineeringmain feeder CIP 14.1901 | 43,624 | 99.6% | 440 | $70,724 | $24,833 |
| 2 | Engineering Mechanicsmain feeder CIP 14.1101 | 126 | 0.3% | 17 | $77,174 | $26,966 |
| 3 | CIP 14.4101 | 67 | 0.2% | 6 | $84,375 | $31,000 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · 1 feeder programs | 1,148 | Mechanical Engineering | 83% | — | 50% |
| 2 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA Public · 2 feeder programs | 761 | Mechanical Engineering | 94% | — | 14% |
| 3 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 610 | Mechanical Engineering | 84% | — | 57% |
| 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · 1 feeder programs | 479 | Mechanical Engineering | 68% | — | 90% |
| 5 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 474 | Mechanical Engineering | 93% | — | 11% |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, IL Public · 2 feeder programs | 473 | Mechanical Engineering | 85% | — | 42% |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · 1 feeder programs | 464 | Mechanical Engineering | 86% | — | 61% |
| 8 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · 1 feeder programs | 461 | Mechanical Engineering | 93% | — | 16% |
| 9 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 457 | Mechanical Engineering | 78% | — | 40% |
| 10 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO Public · 1 feeder programs | 435 | Mechanical Engineering | 82% | — | 61% |
| 11 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · 2 feeder programs | 423 | Mechanical Engineering | 86% | — | 55% |
| 12 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 418 | Mechanical Engineering | 89% | — | 27% |
| 13 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 406 | Mechanical Engineering | 85% | — | 42% |
| 14 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 404 | Mechanical Engineering | 91% | — | 24% |
| 15 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · 1 feeder programs | 394 | Mechanical Engineering | 74% | — | 78% |
| 16 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 374 | Mechanical Engineering | 91% | $18,925 | 5% |
| 17 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · 1 feeder programs | 374 | Mechanical Engineering | 70% | — | 77% |
| 18 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 372 | Mechanical Engineering | 86% | — | 27% |
| 19 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · 2 feeder programs | 364 | Mechanical Engineering | 75% | — | 89% |
| 20 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 362 | Mechanical Engineering | 94% | $23,803 | 12% |
| 21 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 351 | Mechanical Engineering | 86% | — | 31% |
| 22 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · 1 feeder programs | 350 | Mechanical Engineering | 87% | — | 38% |
| 23 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · 2 feeder programs | 350 | Mechanical Engineering | 90% | — | 45% |
| 24 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 338 | Mechanical Engineering | 69% | — | 73% |
| 25 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Public · 1 feeder programs | 335 | Mechanical Engineering | 89% | — | 45% |
| 26 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 327 | Mechanical Engineering | 75% | — | 85% |
| 27 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI Public · 2 feeder programs | 311 | Mechanical Engineering | 68% | — | 92% |
| 28 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 306 | Mechanical Engineering | 87% | — | 29% |
| 29 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · 1 feeder programs | 303 | Mechanical Engineering | 88% | — | 61% |
| 30 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 298 | Mechanical Engineering | 90% | $32,926 | 60% |
| 31 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 297 | Mechanical Engineering | 68% | — | 75% |
| 32 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 287 | Mechanical Engineering | 93% | — | 9% |
| 33 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 282 | Mechanical Engineering | 96% | $11,666 | 5% |
| 34 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 278 | Mechanical Engineering | 70% | $28,133 | 67% |
| 35 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 277 | Mechanical Engineering | 87% | $34,827 | 48% |
| 36 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder programs | 276 | Mechanical Engineering | 85% | — | 39% |
| 37 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · 1 feeder programs | 275 | Mechanical Engineering | 81% | — | 85% |
| 38 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 271 | Mechanical Engineering | 95% | $17,613 | 9% |
| 39 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 268 | Mechanical Engineering | 89% | $21,956 | 11% |
| 40 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 261 | Mechanical Engineering | 69% | — | 46% |
| 41 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 260 | Mechanical Engineering | 76% | — | 65% |
| 42 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · 1 feeder programs | 259 | Mechanical Engineering | 85% | — | 80% |
| 43 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 254 | Mechanical Engineering | 94% | $11,888 | 6% |
| 44 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · 1 feeder programs | 253 | Mechanical Engineering | 82% | — | 46% |
| 45 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · 1 feeder programs | 251 | Mechanical Engineering | 69% | — | 80% |
| 46 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 250 | Mechanical Engineering | 81% | $13,712 | 68% |
| 47 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · 1 feeder programs | 249 | Mechanical Engineering | 65% | — | 74% |
| 48 | San Diego State University San Diego, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 248 | Mechanical Engineering | 76% | — | 36% |
| 49 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 248 | Mechanical Engineering | 92% | $26,873 | 10% |
| 50 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · 1 feeder programs | 242 | Mechanical Engineering | 67% | — | 78% |
What mechanical engineers earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $130,900 | 30,530 | 0.88× | 30 | 5,003 |
| Texas | $112,410 | 22,080 | 0.82× | 40 | 3,571 |
| New York | $102,440 | 8,590 | 0.46× | 25 | 2,474 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,920 | 13,550 | 1.17× | 34 | 2,374 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 | 7,680 | 1.11× | 13 | 2,063 |
| Florida | $99,980 | 10,740 | 0.57× | 16 | 1,952 |
| Michigan | $104,890 | 34,630 | 4.12× | 18 | 1,905 |
| Ohio | $99,100 | 14,390 | 1.36× | 20 | 1,881 |
| Indiana | $99,590 | 8,690 | 1.42× | 15 | 1,681 |
| Georgia | $100,620 | 5,290 | 0.57× | 5 | 1,346 |
| Illinois | $102,680 | 11,790 | 1.01× | 12 | 1,263 |
| Colorado | $124,430 | 7,190 | 1.31× | 10 | 1,239 |
| North Carolina | $100,720 | 9,560 | 1.01× | 5 | 912 |
| Wisconsin | $95,870 | 7,470 | 1.33× | 7 | 899 |
| New Jersey | $112,300 | 4,180 | 0.51× | 7 | 894 |
| Utah | $102,500 | 3,370 | 1.02× | 9 | 892 |
| Arizona | $100,270 | 5,050 | 0.82× | 6 | 888 |
| Virginia | $104,180 | 7,470 | 0.95× | 7 | 884 |
| Washington | $110,430 | 8,240 | 1.22× | 27 | 830 |
| Alabama | $100,230 | — | — | 7 | 770 |
| Marylandmoderate | $122,870 | 6,550 | 1.24× | 4 | 752 |
| Missouri | $99,330 | 4,870 | 0.87× | 7 | 672 |
| Tennessee | $99,550 | 3,930 | 0.63× | 12 | 646 |
| Oregon | $103,470 | 2,920 | 0.78× | 5 | 594 |
| South Carolina | $104,580 | 5,780 | 1.31× | 6 | 576 |
| Iowa | $97,700 | 3,470 | 1.17× | 6 | 551 |
| Minnesota | $99,140 | 5,890 | 1.05× | 7 | 544 |
| Oklahoma | $101,850 | 2,270 | 0.70× | 6 | 513 |
| Connecticut | $105,090 | 4,600 | 1.42× | 9 | 487 |
| Kansas | $86,260 | 4,630 | 1.69× | 5 | 368 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 | 1,890 | 0.51× | 7 | 357 |
| Mississippimoderate | $98,000 | 1,570 | 0.71× | 4 | 351 |
| Idahomoderate | $93,190 | 1,070 | 0.65× | 4 | 337 |
| New Mexicomoderate | $157,710 | 2,710 | 1.63× | 4 | 328 |
| Kentuckymoderate | $101,050 | 4,170 | 1.09× | 3 | 295 |
| Arkansas | $80,180 | 1,410 | 0.56× | 7 | 256 |
| North Dakotamoderate | $86,330 | 790 | 0.96× | 4 | 245 |
| Nevadalimited | $102,680 | 1,410 | 0.48× | 2 | 238 |
| Montanalimited | $94,190 | 500 | 0.51× | 2 | 199 |
| South Dakotalimited | $88,380 | 560 | 0.64× | 2 | 182 |
| Rhode Islandmoderate | $116,230 | 1,560 | 1.63× | 3 | 163 |
| Delawarelimited | $125,130 | 610 | 0.66× | 1 | 161 |
| West Virginiamoderate | $97,390 | 760 | 0.57× | 3 | 156 |
| Nebraskalimited | $88,060 | 950 | 0.49× | 1 | 140 |
| Mainelimited | $102,430 | 890 | 0.72× | 2 | 139 |
| District of Columbiamoderate | $133,300 | 510 | 0.38× | 4 | 129 |
| New Hampshirelimited | $103,660 | 2,760 | 2.12× | 2 | 120 |
| Vermontmoderate | $107,330 | 530 | 0.92× | 3 | 106 |
| Hawaiilimited | $98,740 | 530 | 0.44× | 1 | 91 |
| Alaskalimited | $124,340 | 380 | 0.61× | 2 | 58 |
| Wyominglimited | $117,750 | 230 | 0.44× | 1 | 57 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
- Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions.
- Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
- Provide technical customer service.
Skills
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening3.8
- Mathematics3.7
- Writing3.7
- Speaking3.7
- Science3.6
- Active Learning3.5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.6
- Design4.1
- Mathematics4.0
- Mechanical3.9
- Physics3.8
- Computers and Electronics3.6
Abilities
- Oral Expression4.0
- Problem Sensitivity4.0
- Oral Comprehension4.0
- Deductive Reasoning4.0
- Inductive Reasoning4.0
- Written Comprehension4.0
Core activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.5
- Working with Computers4.5
- Getting Information4.3
- Analyzing Data or Information4.2
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.1
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.1
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Mechanical Engineer
Job zone 4 of 5 · SVP 7.0 to < 8.0- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 3 majors mapped to Mechanical Engineers3 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 14.1101Engineering Mechanics
- 14.1901Mechanical Engineering
- 14.4101Electromechanical Engineering
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a Mechanical Engineer?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Mechanical Engineering, which awarded 43,624 degrees in 2024-25, 99.6% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming a Mechanical Engineer?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 3 programs to this occupation. The largest are Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Electromechanical Engineering. Together they graduate about 43,817 people a year.
How much do mechanical engineers earn?+
The median is $104,110 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $73,990 at the 10th percentile to $164,340 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for mechanical engineers growing?+
BLS projects a +9.1% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, much faster than average, with roughly 18,100 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
446 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 3 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do mechanical engineers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Engineer, Stack Engineer, Design Engineer, Product Engineer, Project Engineer, Research Engineer among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 17-2141.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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