Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Mechanical Engineering by graduate earnings are Cal Poly Maritime Academy ($92,315), Duke University ($89,938) and University of California-Berkeley ($88,497), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Cal Poly Maritime Academy (Vallejo, CA): $92,315, 25 graduates a year
- Duke University (Durham, NC): $89,938, 161 graduates a year
- University of California-Berkeley (Berkeley, CA): $88,497, 474 graduates a year
- Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (Needham, MA): $87,590, 27 graduates a year
- Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): $85,440, 271 graduates a year
Compare 440 U.S. colleges offering Mechanical Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Mechanical Engineering programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $70,763 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 14.19 and the Mechanical Engineers occupation (BLS SOC).
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 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Cal Poly Maritime Academy Vallejo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $92,315 | 25 | 60% | — | $19,690 |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $89,938 | 161 | 97% | $16,260 | $10,000 |
| 3 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $88,497 | 474 | 93% | — | $13,200 |
| 4 | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Needham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $87,590 | 27 | 96% | $18,499 | — |
| 5 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,440 | 271 | 95% | $17,613 | $15,500 |
| 6 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,328 | 92 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 7 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $84,999 | 142 | 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 | 248 | 92% | $26,873 | $17,500 |
| 10 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $83,011 | 351 | 86% | — | $20,500 |
| 11 | Rice University Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,899 | 90 | 95% | $13,264 | $15,375 |
| 12 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,823 | 461 | 93% | — | $21,750 |
| 13 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,361 | 65 | 84% | $29,789 | $21,500 |
| 14 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $82,227 | 417 | 89% | — | $18,750 |
| 15 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,865 | 84 | 88% | $44,094 | $19,500 |
| 16 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $81,108 | 116 | 83% | — | $15,908 |
| 17 | Villanova University Villanova, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $80,962 | 98 | 92% | $33,774 | $25,995 |
| 18 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,374 | 1,148 | 83% | — | $19,937 |
| 19 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,259 | 275 | 81% | — | $24,000 |
| 20 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $80,255 | 374 | 91% | $18,925 | $25,893 |
| 21 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,187 | 446 | 85% | — | $20,500 |
| 22 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,438 | 34 | 38% | — | $18,250 |
| 23 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,391 | 47 | 86% | $30,675 | $19,500 |
| 24 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,359 | 303 | 88% | — | $20,500 |
| 25 | Kettering University Flint, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,307 | 133 | 71% | $30,880 | $28,000 |
Specializations within Mechanical Engineering
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.19 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 52 states & territories
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
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Mechanical Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.19.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.19 (Mechanical Engineering) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 13-1051 | Cost Estimators |
| 17-2011 | Aerospace Engineers |
| 17-2141 | Mechanical Engineersprimary |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
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.
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.
How much do Mechanical Engineering graduates earn?+
Mechanical Engineering graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $70,763, College Scorecard (2019); the Mechanical Engineers occupation pays about $113,610 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Mechanical Engineering?+
Mechanical Engineering maps to CIP 14.19 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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