Best Mechanical Engineering institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 424 U.S. colleges offering Mechanical Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
About Mechanical Engineering programs
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, mathematics, and materials science to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It caters to those who are passionate about innovation and problem-solving in engineering.
In this program, students develop core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics. Coursework typically includes design principles, engineering technology, and mechanical systems, equipping students with the knowledge needed to tackle complex engineering challenges.
Top 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University Maritime Academy Vallejo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $92,315 | 43 | 60% | — | $19,690 |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $89,938 | 111 | 97% | $16,260 | $10,000 |
| 3 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $88,497 | 447 | 93% | — | $13,200 |
| 4 | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Needham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $87,590 | 29 | 96% | $18,499 | — |
| 5 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,440 | 272 | 95% | $17,613 | $15,500 |
| 6 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,328 | 94 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 7 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $84,999 | 145 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,000 |
| 8 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $83,957 | 282 | 96% | $11,666 | $11,334 |
| 9 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $83,356 | 190 | 92% | $26,873 | $17,500 |
| 10 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $83,011 | 309 | 86% | — | $20,500 |
| 11 | Rice University Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,899 | 83 | 95% | $13,264 | $15,375 |
| 12 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,823 | 466 | 93% | — | $21,750 |
| 13 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,361 | 69 | 84% | $29,789 | $21,500 |
| 14 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,227 | 405 | 89% | — | $18,750 |
| 15 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,865 | 55 | 88% | $44,094 | $19,500 |
| 16 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $81,108 | 125 | 83% | — | $15,908 |
| 17 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $80,962 | 100 | 92% | $33,774 | $25,995 |
| 18 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,374 | 819 | 83% | — | $19,937 |
| 19 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,259 | 312 | 81% | — | $24,000 |
| 20 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $80,255 | 357 | 91% | $18,925 | $25,893 |
| 21 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,187 | 398 | 85% | — | $20,500 |
| 22 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,438 | 14 | 38% | — | $18,250 |
| 23 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,391 | 42 | 86% | $30,675 | $19,500 |
| 24 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,359 | 346 | 88% | — | $20,500 |
| 25 | Kettering University Flint, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,307 | 162 | 71% | $30,880 | $28,000 |
| 26 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,280 | 57 | 84% | $33,246 | $17,708 |
| 27 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,016 | 322 | 93% | — | $17,000 |
| 28 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,862 | 782 | 94% | — | $27,000 |
| 29 | Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,732 | 114 | 78% | $36,775 | $25,612 |
| 30 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,552 | 24 | 67% | $16,109 | — |
| 31 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,441 | 96 | 94% | $23,570 | $16,500 |
| 32 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,280 | 446 | 86% | — | $23,000 |
| 33 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,213 | 142 | 58% | — | $25,000 |
| 34 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,182 | 277 | 90% | $32,926 | $27,000 |
| 35 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,028 | 42 | 55% | — | $21,125 |
| 36 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,009 | 58 | 94% | $14,854 | $14,000 |
| 37 | University of San Diego San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,962 | 42 | 84% | $26,035 | $26,093 |
| 38 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,925 | 264 | 87% | $34,827 | $26,520 |
| 39 | SUNY Maritime College Throggs Neck, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,895 | 64 | 64% | — | $26,000 |
| 40 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,828 | 97 | 68% | $32,713 | $27,000 |
| 41 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,785 | 668 | 84% | — | $19,500 |
| 42 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,321 | 64 | 61% | $32,679 | $27,000 |
| 43 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,229 | 11 | 51% | — | $26,901 |
| 44 | University of Toledo Toledo, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,011 | 144 | 57% | — | $17,900 |
| 45 | University of Portland Portland, OR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,909 | 50 | 80% | $33,822 | $23,681 |
| 46 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,823 | 34 | 48% | — | $26,679 |
| 47 | University of the Pacific Stockton, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,785 | 28 | 69% | $23,964 | $28,596 |
| 48 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,736 | 85 | 87% | $27,976 | $24,855 |
| 49 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,523 | 293 | 94% | $23,803 | $22,777 |
| 50 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $76,485 | 345 | 89% | — | $20,500 |
Offered across 51 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2141, Mechanical Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Mechanical Engineering can expect a promising job outlook, with a growth rate of 9.1% and approximately 18,100 annual openings. The median wage for mechanical engineers is $102,320, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Mechanical Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
Tools & technology
Concentrations within Mechanical Engineering
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Mechanical EngineeringCIP 14.1901
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of physical systems used in manufacturing and end-product syst
Common questions
What is Mechanical Engineering?+
Mechanical Engineering is the study of machines and mechanisms, focusing on their design, analysis, and maintenance.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and engineering design, among others.
What is the job outlook for Mechanical Engineers?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.1%.
What is the average salary for Mechanical Engineers?+
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers is $102,320.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
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