Best institutions to study Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in the design and development phases of a wide variety of projects involving mechanical systems.
190 U.S. institutions graduated 3,358 Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0805, a specialization of Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.08), and leads most directly to the Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3027).
About Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in the design and development phases of a wide variety of projects involving mechanical systems. Includes instruction in principles of mechanics, applications to specific engineering systems, design testing procedures, prototype and operational testing and inspection procedures, manufacturing system-testing procedures, test equipment operation and maintenance, and report preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers in the design and development of mechanical systems. This program is ideal for students interested in applying engineering principles and technical skills to a variety of projects, involving tasks such as testing and inspection procedures, and manufacturing system operations.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in engineering and technology, mechanics, design, and mathematics. Core skills include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, along with practical training in assembling complex mechanical systems and interpreting engineering specifications.
Credentials awarded
What Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,826 graduates / yr · 69 institutions54%
- Associate's degree1,034 graduates / yr · 128 institutions31%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year405 graduates / yr · 38 institutions12%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years70 graduates / yr · 13 institutions2.1%
- Master's degree22 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,989 |
| 2013 | 3,272 |
| 2014 | 3,334 |
| 2015 | 3,679 |
| 2016 | 3,917 |
| 2017 | 4,020 |
| 2018 | 4,238 |
| 2019 | 4,388 |
| 2020 | 3,813 |
| 2021 | 3,678 |
| 2022 | 3,486 |
| 2023 | 3,154 |
| 2024 | 3,160 |
| 2025 | 3,358 |
Top 50 institutions for Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 199 | 42% | $21,909 | $64,003 |
| 2 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 192 | 83% | — | $67,093 |
| 3 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 120 | 21% | — | $48,372 |
| 4 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 80 | 33% | — | — |
| 5 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 78 | 70% | $28,133 | $69,261 |
| 6 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 77 | 53% | — | $62,223 |
| 7 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 70 | 47% | — | $66,747 |
| 8 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicBachelor's | 70 | 73% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 66 | 65% | — | $61,163 |
| 10 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 64 | 52% | — | $52,177 |
| 11 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor's | 63 | 69% | — | $60,048 |
| 12 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 62 | 52% | — | $64,339 |
| 13 | Stark State College North Canton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 59 | 23% | — | $35,362 |
| 14 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicBachelor's | 44 | 68% | — | $61,443 |
| 15 | Fort Hays State University - Northwest Kansas Technical College Goodland, KSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 42 | 73% | — | — |
| 16 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor's | 41 | 57% | — | $62,605 |
| 17 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicBachelor's | 40 | 57% | — | $66,034 |
| 18 | Wayne Community College Goldsboro, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 39 | 49% | — | — |
| 19 | Edison State Community College Piqua, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 38% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 38 | 80% | $28,560 | $66,055 |
| 21 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, INPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 36 | 36% | — | $65,385 |
| 22 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicBachelor's | 35 | 43% | — | $66,479 |
| 23 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor's | 33 | 55% | — | $61,991 |
| 24 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 33 | 55% | — | $60,968 |
| 25 | Triton College River Grove, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 29% | — | — |
| 26 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate's | 31 | 40% | — | — |
| 27 | North Central State College Mansfield, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAssociate's | 31 | 36% | — | — |
| 28 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 31 | 61% | — | $59,941 |
| 29 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAssociate's | 30 | 24% | — | — |
| 30 | County College of Morris Randolph, NJPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 36% | — | — |
| 31 | Pitt Community College Winterville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 35% | — | — |
| 32 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CAPublicBachelor's | 29 | 68% | — | $64,243 |
| 33 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 29 | 32% | — | $72,334 |
| 34 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CTPublicBachelor's | 29 | 48% | — | $73,788 |
| 35 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicBachelor's | 28 | 46% | — | $49,799 |
| 36 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie - Behrend College Erie, PAPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 28 | 44% | — | — |
| 37 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 28 | 55% | — | — |
| 38 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 26 | 68% | — | $61,141 |
| 39 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NYPublicBachelor's | 24 | 55% | — | $62,681 |
| 40 | Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico - Recinto de Manati Manati, PRPublicAssociate's | 24 | 34% | — | — |
| 41 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 24 | 31% | $9,370 | — |
| 42 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 43% | $21,535 | — |
| 43 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, ARPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 22 | 42% | — | — |
| 44 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 45 | Beaufort County Community College Washington, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 48% | — | — |
| 46 | Alamance Community College Graham, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 39% | — | — |
| 47 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 22 | 46% | — | $64,828 |
| 48 | Pensacola State College Pensacola, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 36% | — | — |
| 49 | Northern Michigan University Marquette, MIPublicBachelor's | 21 | 52% | — | $54,815 |
| 50 | Instituto Tecnologico de Puerto Rico - Recinto de Guayama Guayama, PRPublicAssociate's | 21 | 51% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 40 states & territories
Where Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3027, Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians, with an annual job outlook of approximately 3,200 openings. The typical education required is an Associate's degree, and the median wage for this field is around $68,730, indicating stable opportunities for employment.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0805
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3027 | $74,510 | 0.0% Little or no change | ~3,200 | Associate's degree |
Mechanical Drafters SOC 17-3013 | $71,550 | -6.5% Decline | ~3,300 | Associate's degree |
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians SOC 17-3024 | $73,900 | +1.1% Little or no change | ~1,300 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.08).
- Automotive Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0803
Technician 1,292 graduates / yr47 institutions - Aeronautical/CIP 15.0801
Aerospace Engineering Technology/ Technician 810 graduates / yr29 institutions - Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/CIP 15.0899
Technicians 476 graduates / yr15 institutions - Marine Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0806
Technician partial data63 graduates / yr4 institutions - Motorsports Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0807
Technician limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
See all Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or shorter awards ranging from 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, communication, and technical support related to mechanical systems.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Mechanical Engineering Technologist, Mechanical Drafter, or in related fields.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is stable, with little or no change expected and about 3,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician?+
Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0805 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.08). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers engaged in the design and development phases of a wide variety of projects involving mechanical systems. Includes instruction in principles of mechanics, applications to specific engineering systems, design testing procedures, prototype and operational testing and inspection procedures, manufacturing system-testing procedures, test equipment operation and maintenance, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician programs?+
190 U.S. institutions reported Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 40 states & territories, awarding 3,358 credentials in the year. That is 55.9% of all Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $74,510 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $61,443 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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