Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in South Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia and Citadel Military College of South Carolina are the top bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in South Carolina by graduate earnings. Clemson University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $73,220, College Scorecard. Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia and Citadel Military College of South Carolina award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in South Carolina: 350, 135 and 53 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 South Carolina colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 576 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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,…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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 | Clemson University Clemson Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,220 | 350 | 87% | — | $24,125 |
| 2 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,370 | 135 | 79% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,602 | 53 | 75% | — | $19,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in South Carolina
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson University Clemson Public | 350 | $73,220 |
| 2 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia Public | 135 | $72,370 |
| 3 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston Public | 53 | $52,602 |
| 4 | University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 5 | Francis Marion University Florence Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 6 | Anderson University Anderson Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in South Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in South Carolina.
Which South Carolina colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
Clemson University (350 graduates a year), University of South Carolina-Columbia (135 graduates a year) and Citadel Military College of South Carolina (53 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in South Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 South Carolina colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
What is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in South Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, Clemson University leads among bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in South Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $73,220, College Scorecard. University of South Carolina-Columbia and Citadel Military College of South Carolina follow. By degrees awarded, Clemson University is the largest, with 350 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Mechanical Engineering program in South Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Clemson University tops the list at $73,220. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in South Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in South Carolina is $113,690 (median $104,580), across about 5,780 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Mechanical Engineering program?+
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,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, science, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Mechanical Engineers?+
The national job outlook is about +9.1% growth with around 18,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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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