College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major

426 Ranked Colleges
46,178 Degrees Awarded
$34,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on ME Major

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Mechanical Engineering is the 21st most popular major in the country with 46,178 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $69,007 and had an average of $23,944 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major” ranking analyzed 426 colleges that offered a degree in mechanical engineering. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in mechanical engineering.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Mechanical Engineering Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More ME Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools Highly Focused on ME Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Mechanical Engineering

1
Kettering crest
Kettering University
Flint, Michigan

Out of the 426 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Kettering University landed the #1 spot on the list. This small school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 235 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Kettering University

2
Olin College crest
Olin College
Needham, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Olin College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. This small school is located in Needham, Massachusetts, and it awarded 21 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Olin College

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major. Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology is a small school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 134 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology

4

Out of the 426 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida Polytechnic University landed the #4 spot on the list. Florida Polytechnic University is a public institution located in Lakeland, Florida. The school has a small population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Florida Polytechnic University

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan Technological University. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major. Located in Houghton, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 429 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech

6
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Located in Golden, Colorado, this medium-sized public school handed out 361 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Mines

7

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is located in Socorro, New Mexico and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at New Mexico Tech

8
MSOE crest
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee School of Engineering came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. MSOE is a small school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 112 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Milwaukee School of Engineering Mechanical Engineering Report

9
Clarkson crest
Clarkson University
Potsdam, New York

Clarkson University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 189 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Clarkson Mechanical Engineering Report

10

Lawrence Technological University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Southfield, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ME degrees to 103 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lawrence Tech Mechanical Engineering Report

11
WPI crest
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 315 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

12
Rensselaer at Hartford crest
Rensselaer at Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut

With a ranking of #12, Rensselaer at Hartford did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. This small school is located in Hartford, Connecticut, and it awarded 10 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Rensselaer at Hartford

13

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. This small school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 31 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Cooper Union Mechanical Engineering Report

14

With a ranking of #14, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. Located in Troy, New York, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 289 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full RPI Mechanical Engineering Report

15

Wright State University - Lake Campus landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Wright State University - Lake Campus is a public institution located in Celina, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Wright State University - Lake Campus Mechanical Engineering Report

16

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking, coming in at #16. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is located in Rapid City, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SD Mines Mechanical Engineering Report

17
WIT crest
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, Massachusetts

Wentworth Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking, coming in at #17. Wentworth Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 127 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at WIT

18

California State University Maritime Academy came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. California State University Maritime Academy is a small public school situated in Vallejo, California. It awarded 19 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full California State University Maritime Academy Mechanical Engineering Report

19

Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico is a small school located in Hato Rey, that handed out 76 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico

20

With a ranking of #20, Missouri University of Science and Technology did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Rolla, Missouri, and it awarded 272 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology

21

University of Wisconsin - Platteville landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. University of Wisconsin - Platteville is a medium-sized school located in Platteville, Wisconsin that handed out 198 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Wisconsin - Platteville

22

Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico - Orlando landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico - Orlando is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 3 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico - Orlando Mechanical Engineering Report

23
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. This small school is located in Lexington, Virginia, and it awarded 41 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Military Institute

24

University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Located in Mayaguez, , this fairly large public school awarded 200 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

25
Manhattan crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, New York

Manhattan College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking, coming in at #25. Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverdale, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 108 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Manhattan

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on ME Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
LETU crest
LeTourneau University
Longview, Texas
29
30
31
Pitt Johnstown crest
University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
32
33
OIT crest
Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, Oregon
34
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania
35
36
37
MIT crest
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts
38
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, Pennsylvania
39
West Point crest
United States Military Academy
West Point, New York
40
41
42
43
44
Saint Martin's crest
Saint Martin's University
Lacey, Washington
45
USCGA crest
United States Coast Guard Academy
New London, Connecticut
46
Union College crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, New York
47
48
SUNY Maritime College crest
SUNY Maritime College
Throggs Neck, New York
49
50
UDayton crest
University of Dayton
Dayton, Ohio

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on ME Major

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL
52 Alfred University Alfred, NY
53 University of Portland Portland, OR
54 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Prescott, AZ
55 United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD
56 Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA
57 Trine University Angola, IN
58 Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL
59 University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK
60 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA
61 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA
62 York College of Pennsylvania York, PA
63 Walla Walla University College Place, WA
64 Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FL

Switch to a Similar Major

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options