Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings are Central Connecticut State University ($73,788), Metropolitan State University of Denver ($72,334) and New England Institute of Technology ($70,916), 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%.
- Central Connecticut State University (New Britain, CT): $73,788, 29 graduates a year
- Metropolitan State University of Denver (Denver, CO): $72,334, 29 graduates a year
- New England Institute of Technology (East Greenwich, RI): $70,916, 21 graduates a year
- Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY): $69,261, 78 graduates a year
- Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN): $67,093, 352 graduates a year
Compare 258 U.S. colleges offering Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 45 states.
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $60,968 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 15.08 and the Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians programs
The Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians program prepares students for careers in the engineering and technology fields, focusing on the design, creation, and analysis of mechanical systems. This program is ideal for individuals interested in applying scientific and mathematical principles to solve practical problems in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing.
Learn more about Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians →
Students in this program will develop core skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and technical communication. Coursework typically includes topics such as mechanical design, engineering sketches, and the assembly of complex mechanical systems, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to support engineering projects effectively.
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 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,788 | 29 | 48% | — | $31,000 |
| 2 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,334 | 29 | 32% | — | $32,000 |
| 3 | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,916 | 21 | 60% | $36,659 | $31,000 |
| 4 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,261 | 78 | 70% | $28,133 | $29,000 |
| 5 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,093 | 352 | 83% | — | $20,500 |
| 6 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,747 | 95 | 47% | — | $27,000 |
| 7 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,479 | 43 | 43% | — | $26,990 |
| 8 | University of Dayton Dayton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,055 | 38 | 80% | $28,560 | $27,000 |
| 9 | University of Toledo Toledo, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,034 | 40 | 57% | — | $26,875 |
| 10 | Virginia State University Petersburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,472 | 23 | 39% | — | $27,500 |
| 11 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,385 | 36 | 36% | — | $27,000 |
| 12 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,828 | 145 | 46% | — | $18,280 |
| 13 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,339 | 62 | 52% | — | $25,500 |
| 14 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,243 | 29 | 68% | — | $24,354 |
| 15 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,681 | 24 | 55% | — | $22,108 |
| 16 | Montana State University Bozeman, MT Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,605 | 41 | 57% | — | $27,500 |
| 17 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,503 | 79 | 62% | — | $19,187 |
| 18 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,440 | 49 | 55% | $6,760 | $16,214 |
| 19 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,223 | 77 | 53% | — | $17,409 |
| 20 | University of Maine Orono, ME Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,991 | 33 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 21 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,443 | 44 | 68% | — | $29,875 |
| 22 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,163 | 66 | 65% | — | $27,000 |
| 23 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,141 | 26 | 68% | — | $23,302 |
| 24 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,968 | 33 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 25 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,048 | 63 | 69% | — | $27,000 |
Top 5 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $64,003 | 199 | 42% | $21,909 | $29,810 |
| 2 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OH Public · Associate degree | $61,021 | 38 | 35% | — | $12,000 |
| 3 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VA Public · Certificate | $54,461 | 319 | 32% | — | $11,250 |
| 4 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH Public · Associate degree | $52,177 | 64 | 52% | — | $22,582 |
| 5 | Springfield Technical Community College Springfield, MA Public · Associate degree Small program | $54,793 | 17 | 32% | — | $7,395 |
Specializations within Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 15.08 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Mechanical/CIP 15.0805
Mechanical Engineering Technology/ Technician 3,358 graduates / yr190 institutions40 states - Automotive Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0803
Technician 1,292 graduates / yr47 institutions20 states - Aeronautical/CIP 15.0801
Aerospace Engineering Technology/ Technician 810 graduates / yr29 institutions20 states - Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/CIP 15.0899
Technicians 476 graduates / yr15 institutions7 states - Marine Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0806
Technician New in CIP 2020partial data63 graduates / yr4 institutions4 states - Motorsports Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0807
Technician New in CIP 2020limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 45 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 17-3027, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians program can expect to find opportunities in various technical roles, with an annual opening of approximately 3,200 positions. The median wage for these careers is around $68,730, and most positions require an associate's degree. The job outlook indicates little or no change in employment opportunities.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 15.08.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 15.08 (Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 17-3013 | Mechanical Drafters |
| 17-3021 | Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians |
| 17-3024 | Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians |
| 17-3027 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary |
| 17-3029 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other |
| 49-3023 | Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics |
| 49-3051 | Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians 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
- Assemble or disassemble complex mechanical systems.
- Interpret engineering sketches, specifications, or drawings.
- Calculate required capacities for equipment of proposed system to obtain specified performance and submit data to engineering personnel for approval.
- Review project instructions and blueprints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, and objectives, and test nature of technical problems such as redesign.
- Provide technical support to other employees regarding mechanical design, fabrication, testing, or documentation.
- Test machines, components, materials, or products to determine characteristics such as performance, strength, or response to stress.
Common questions
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn critical thinking, mathematics, technical communication, and problem-solving skills.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can pursue careers in mechanical design, technical support, and various engineering-related fields.
What is the typical education required for this program?+
Most positions require an associate's degree.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 3,200 annual openings.
How much do Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $60,968, College Scorecard (2019); the Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation pays about $76,380 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians?+
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians maps to CIP 15.08 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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