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2024 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools

317 Colleges in the United States
46,178 ME Degrees Awarded
$69,007 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #21 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 317 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for mechanical engineering students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 46,178 degrees in mechanical engineering during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Mechanical Engineering School

Best Mechanical Engineering Schools The me program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering rankings. We derive our Best Overall Mechanical Engineering School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Mechanical Engineering Degree Level

Associate Degrees in ME
Bachelor's Degrees in ME
Master's Degrees in ME
Doctor's Degrees in ME

The me school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Mechanical Engineering Schools. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the me degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in ME

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
291 ME Degrees Awarded
$107,831 Median Starting Salary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in mechanical engineering. Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, MIT is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means MIT is a great school overall.

There were approximately 291 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at MIT in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering major at Massachusetts Institute of Technology get $38,824 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
253 ME Degrees Awarded
$86,167 Median Starting Salary

Stanford University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in mechanical engineering. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Stanford. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were approximately 253 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent year we have data available. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Stanford University receive an earnings boost of around $17,159 over the typical earnings of mechanical engineering majors.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University

3
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
147 ME Degrees Awarded
18.4% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in mechanical engineering has to look into University of Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were approximately 147 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from University of Pennsylvania receive an earnings boost of about $9,159 over the typical earnings of mechanical engineering majors.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Pennsylvania

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
217 ME Degrees Awarded
5.5% Growth in Graduates

University of Southern California is a good choice for students interested in a degree in mechanical engineering. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 217 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from University of Southern California earn $14,603 more than the typical me graduate.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Southern California

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
462 ME Degrees Awarded
$84,186 Median Starting Salary

U-M is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor. This university ranks 1st out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were approximately 462 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor earn a boost of about $15,179 above the typical income of mechanical engineering majors.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
794 ME Degrees Awarded
$77,437 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Atlanta, Georgia Tech is a public school with a very large student population. This school ranks 1st out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 794 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Tech in the most recent data year. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus make $8,429 more than the standard me graduate.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
142 ME Degrees Awarded
9.9% Growth in Graduates

Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were roughly 142 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering program at Northwestern University make $8,608 more than the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
582 ME Degrees Awarded
4.0% Growth in Graduates

Purdue is a fairly large public university located in the small city of West Lafayette. This university ranks 2nd out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were approximately 582 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering program at Purdue University - Main Campus make $13,294 above the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University - Main Campus

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
135 ME Degrees Awarded
$72,690 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were roughly 135 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from University of Notre Dame earn $3,683 more than the typical me student.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Notre Dame

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
214 ME Degrees Awarded
$81,789 Median Starting Salary

Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca. This university ranks 3rd out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 214 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering degree program at Cornell University make $12,782 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University

11
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
141 ME Degrees Awarded
$71,314 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were about 141 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from Duke University receive $2,307 more than the typical me graduate.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
320 ME Degrees Awarded
$88,120 Median Starting Salary

UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 320 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from University of California - Berkeley earn $19,113 more than the standard me grad.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of California - Berkeley

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
359 ME Degrees Awarded
4.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 359 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering major at The University of Texas at Austin make $11,906 more than the average college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
191 ME Degrees Awarded
17.3% Growth in Graduates

Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. This university ranks 1st out of 36 colleges for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were about 191 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University receive an earnings boost of about $12,446 over the typical income of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
298 ME Degrees Awarded
$76,539 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.

There were roughly 298 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering major at Carnegie Mellon University get $7,531 above the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University

16
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
77 ME Degrees Awarded
22.1% Growth in Graduates

Rice is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Houston. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Rice is a great university overall.

There were about 77 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the me program earn an average of $70,400 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Rice University

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
252 ME Degrees Awarded
$92,217 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 252 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from University of California - Los Angeles get an earnings boost of about $23,210 above the typical income of mechanical engineering majors.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of California - Los Angeles

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
156 ME Degrees Awarded
$77,064 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were roughly 156 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Washington University in St Louis earn a boost of approximately $8,057 over the typical income of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St Louis

19
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
66 ME Degrees Awarded
$69,605 Median Starting Salary

Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were roughly 66 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the me program state that they receive average early career wages of $69,605.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
205 ME Degrees Awarded
$74,151 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 205 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Columbia University in the City of New York get an earnings boost of approximately $5,144 above the average income of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University in the City of New York

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
268 ME Degrees Awarded
2.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were roughly 268 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the me program earn an average of $70,199 for their early career.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Wisconsin - Madison

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
538 ME Degrees Awarded
$76,402 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 538 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Texas A&M University - College Station receive an earnings boost of about $7,394 over the average earnings of mechanical engineering majors.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University - College Station

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
300 ME Degrees Awarded
$78,224 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 300 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign receive an earnings boost of around $9,216 above the average earnings of mechanical engineering majors.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

24
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
71 ME Degrees Awarded
$86,807 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Santa Clara, SCU is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 12th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 71 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering program at Santa Clara University get $17,799 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Santa Clara University

25
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
466 ME Degrees Awarded
$74,517 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a very large student population. This school ranks 2nd out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 466 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent data year. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from Virginia Tech make $5,510 more than the average me graduate.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech

Rest of the Top Best Mechanical Engineering Schools

26
27
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
28
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
29
30
31
32

33

34
35
36
37
38
39
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
40
41

42

43
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
44
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
45
46
47

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Mechanical Engineering Schools award.

Rank College Location
48 Villanova University Villanova, PA
49 New York University New York, NY
50 Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO
51 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
52 Clemson University Clemson, SC
53 Kettering University Flint, MI
54 Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA
55 George Washington University Washington, DC
56 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
57 Boston University Boston, MA
58 Auburn University Auburn, AL
59 University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
60 Olin College Needham, MA
61 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
62 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
63 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX

Mechanical Engineering by Region

View the Best Mechanical Engineering Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 41 majors within the Engineering area of study, Mechanical Engineering has other similar majors worth exploring.

ME Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Mechanical Engineering 46,178

View All ME Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Electrical Engineering 28,844
Civil Engineering 21,388
Computer Engineering 17,987
Chemical Engineering 12,917
Biomedical Engineering 12,811
General Engineering 11,796
Industrial Engineering 9,072
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering 8,001
Systems Engineering 3,904
Materials Engineering 3,415

View All ME Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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