Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Villanova University, Bucknell University and Carnegie Mellon University are the top bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. Villanova University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $80,962, College Scorecard. Pennsylvania State University, Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Pennsylvania: 464, 355 and 216 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 34 Pennsylvania colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 2,344 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 | Villanova University Villanova Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $80,962 | 98 | 92% | $33,774 | $25,995 |
| 2 | Bucknell University Lewisburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,391 | 47 | 86% | $30,675 | $19,500 |
| 3 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,523 | 355 | 94% | $23,803 | $22,777 |
| 4 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,479 | 143 | 88% | $26,912 | $24,950 |
| 5 | York College of Pennsylvania York Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,445 | 56 | 64% | $18,682 | $27,000 |
| 6 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,267 | 167 | 78% | $36,004 | $31,000 |
| 7 | Lafayette College Easton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,481 | 58 | 88% | $20,396 | $19,500 |
| 8 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,406 | 216 | 85% | — | $27,000 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,772 | 464 | 86% | — | $27,000 |
| 10 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,876 | 167 | 97% | $22,055 | $12,455 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Pennsylvania
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 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 464 | $69,772 |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 355 | $76,523 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 216 | $71,406 |
| 4 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 167 | $74,267 |
| 5 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 167 | $66,876 |
| 6 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit | 143 | $75,479 |
| 7 | Villanova University Villanova Private not-for-profit | 98 | $80,962 |
| 8 | Temple University Philadelphia Public | 66 | $66,161 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie-Behrend College Erie Public | 65 | Not reported |
| 10 | Lafayette College Easton Private not-for-profit | 58 | $72,481 |
ShowHide the other 24 Pennsylvania colleges offering Mechanical Engineering
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
Pennsylvania State University (464 graduates a year), Carnegie Mellon University (355 graduates a year) and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (216 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 34 Pennsylvania colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
What is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, Villanova University leads among bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $80,962, College Scorecard. Bucknell University and Carnegie Mellon University follow. By degrees awarded, Pennsylvania State University is the largest, with 464 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Mechanical Engineering program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Villanova University tops the list at $80,962. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Pennsylvania is $103,740 (median $97,920), across about 13,550 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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