Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, University of Virginia and George Mason University are the top bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Virginia by graduate earnings. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $78,280, College Scorecard. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Old Dominion University and Virginia Commonwealth University award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Virginia: 407, 118 and 90 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Virginia colleges offer Mechanical Engineering and award 868 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 7 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,280 | 407 | 86% | — | $23,000 |
| 2 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,366 | 90 | 96% | — | $24,250 |
| 3 | George Mason University Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,570 | 85 | 68% | — | $25,000 |
| 4 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,355 | 90 | 63% | — | $22,235 |
| 5 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,774 | 118 | 46% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $65,794 | 60 | 65% | $28,911 | $27,000 |
| 7 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $47,837 | 18 | 76% | — | $19,971 |
Colleges awarding the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Virginia
Top 7 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 407 | $78,280 |
| 2 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 118 | $71,774 |
| 3 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 90 | $73,355 |
| 4 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public | 90 | $74,366 |
| 5 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 85 | $73,570 |
| 6 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 60 | $65,794 |
| 7 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington Public | 18 | $47,837 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Top skills
What Mechanical Engineers earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Mechanical Engineering programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees?+
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (407 graduates a year), Old Dominion University (118 graduates a year) and Virginia Commonwealth University (90 graduates a year) award the most Mechanical Engineering degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Virginia colleges offer Mechanical Engineering.
What is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in Virginia?+
By graduate earnings, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leads among bachelor's Mechanical Engineering programs in Virginia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $78,280, College Scorecard. University of Virginia and George Mason University follow. By degrees awarded, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is the largest, with 407 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Mechanical Engineering program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University tops the list at $78,280. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Mechanical Engineers earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Virginia is $114,770 (median $104,180), across about 7,470 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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