Best colleges for Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer controlled electro-mechanical systems and products with embedded electronics, sensors, and actuators; and which includes, but is not limited to, automata, robots and automation systems.
91 U.S. institutions graduated 2,029 Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.4201, a specialization of Mechatronics (CIP 14.42), and leads most directly to the Engineers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 17-2199).
About Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer controlled electro-mechanical systems and products with embedded electronics, sensors, and actuators; and which includes, but is not limited to, automata, robots and automation systems. Includes instruction in mechanical engineering, electronic and electrical engineering, computer and software engineering, and control engineering.
See also: 11.0102 - Artificial Intelligence.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Mechatronics program, formally known as Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering, is designed for individuals interested in the integration of mechanical, electronic, and software engineering. This interdisciplinary field prepares students to develop and evaluate computer-controlled electro-mechanical systems, including robots and automation systems, making it ideal for those passionate about innovation in engineering.
Learn more about Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering →
Students in the Mechatronics program will gain a solid foundation in mechanical engineering, electronic and electrical engineering, computer and software engineering, and control engineering. This comprehensive curriculum equips them with the skills needed to design and implement advanced systems with embedded electronics, sensors, and actuators.
Credentials awarded
What Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree989 graduates / yr · 32 institutions49%
- Bachelor's degree580 graduates / yr · 40 institutions29%
- Associate's degree126 graduates / yr · 16 institutions6.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship98 graduates / yr · 9 institutions4.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year77 graduates / yr · 10 institutions3.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years57 graduates / yr · 8 institutions2.8%
- Award of less than 12 weeks52 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate50 graduates / yr · 10 institutions2.5%
Graduates over time
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 86 |
| 2013 | 144 |
| 2014 | 182 |
| 2015 | 231 |
| 2016 | 407 |
| 2017 | 588 |
| 2018 | 731 |
| 2019 | 912 |
| 2020 | 1,051 |
| 2021 | 1,224 |
| 2022 | 1,203 |
| 2023 | 1,723 |
| 2024 | 1,932 |
| 2025 | 2,029 |
Top 50 institutions for Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering, 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 starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 185 | 90% | $32,926 | $85,340 |
| 2 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 148 | 93% | — | — |
| 3 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 144 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster's | 143 | 68% | — | — |
| 5 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 94 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 6 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MDPublicBachelor's | 75 | 93% | — | — |
| 7 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 75 | 52% | — | $72,645 |
| 8 | Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 64 | 94% | — | — |
| 9 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 60 | 68% | — | — |
| 10 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicBachelor's | 54 | 54% | — | $71,664 |
| 11 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 53 | 43% | — | — |
| 12 | Lorain County Community College Elyria, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 49 | 31% | — | — |
| 13 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 42 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 14 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 36 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 15 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 35 | 70% | $28,133 | — |
| 16 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PAPublicAssociate's | 33 | 71% | — | $47,508 |
| 17 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicMaster's | 30 | 81% | — | — |
| 18 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 28 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 19 | Greenville Technical College Greenville, SCPublicBachelor's | 28 | 21% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 85% | — | $81,517 |
| 21 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, ILPublicBachelor's | 27 | 57% | — | — |
| 22 | Rock Valley College Rockford, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 26 | 37% | — | — |
| 23 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicMaster's | 25 | 58% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster's | 24 | 75% | — | — |
| 25 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 24% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 22 | 58% | — | — |
| 27 | Widener University Chester, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 21 | 68% | $29,049 | — |
| 28 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 82% | — | — |
| 29 | Mt Hood Community College Gresham, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 20 | 24% | — | — |
| 30 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 75% | $19,899 | — |
| 31 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 87% | $34,827 | — |
| 32 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 18 | 64% | — | — |
| 33 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicBachelor's | 18 | 52% | — | — |
| 34 | Columbus State University Columbus, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 42% | — | — |
| 35 | Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 17 | 31% | — | — |
| 36 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 70% | — | — |
| 37 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 38 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAssociate's | 15 | 31% | — | — |
| 39 | Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 66% | $25,132 | — |
| 40 | University of California-Riverside Riverside, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 13 | 76% | — | — |
| 41 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 13 | 61% | $32,679 | — |
| 42 | Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, PAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 13 | 21% | — | — |
| 43 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 88% | $44,094 | — |
| 44 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 57% | — | — |
| 45 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MIPublicBachelor's | 10 | 51% | — | — |
| 46 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 10 | 65% | — | — |
| 47 | Delta College University Center, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 27% | — | — |
| 48 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAssociate's | 9 | 17% | — | — |
| 49 | Johnson College Scranton, PAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 8 | 55% | $20,807 | — |
| 50 | Odessa College Odessa, TXPublicBachelor's | 8 | 37% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Mechatronics field (CIP 14.42) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 32 states
Where Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Mechatronics programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2199, Engineers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Mechatronics program can pursue various careers, including roles as engineers in diverse fields. With an annual growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 9,300 job openings each year, the median wage for these positions is around $117,750, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level roles.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.4201
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Engineers, All Otherprimary SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Mechatronics?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Associate's, or Doctor's degree in Mechatronics.
What is the job outlook for Mechatronics graduates?+
The job outlook shows about 2.1% growth with approximately 9,300 annual openings.
What kind of jobs can I get with a Mechatronics degree?+
Graduates can work as engineers, architectural and engineering managers, or engineering teachers.
What is the average salary for Mechatronics professionals?+
The median wage for Mechatronics professionals is around $117,750.
What is the CIP code for Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering?+
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering is CIP 14.4201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Mechatronics (CIP 14.42). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer controlled electro-mechanical systems and products with embedded electronics, sensors, and actuators; and which includes, but is not limited to, automata, robots and automation systems. Includes instruction in mechanical engineering, electronic and electrical engineering, computer and software engineering, and control engineering.
How many institutions offer Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering programs?+
91 U.S. institutions reported Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 32 states, awarding 2,029 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Mechatronics graduates.
How much do Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Engineers, All Other occupation, which Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $122,930 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Mechatronics field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $72,645, 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Mechatronics graduates, so its figures match the Mechatronics program page.
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