by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician was the 201st most popular major nationwide with 3,682 degrees awarded. This 131 less than the prior year, a decrease of 3.6%.
This year's Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools ranking compares 68 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom ME tech rankings further below.
Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and talking to others to convey information effectively are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most ME tech degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program qualifications, to serve in some ME tech careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
ME Tech degree levels vary. Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest ME tech degree you can get. Different mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to ME tech, with approximately 40.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for ME tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 38.3% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 29.0% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 18.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 6.7% |
| Some College Courses | 4.4% |
72.6% of ME tech workers have at least a associate. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician have received.
The education level required is different depending on the ME tech career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your ME tech degree? Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology careers are expected to grow 5.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technicians | 48,400 | 5.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for ME tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers ME tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Technicians | $58,240 |
With over 349 different ME tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased ME tech school rankings to help you with this.
Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology is one of 4 different types of Mechanical Engineering Technology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology | 983 |
| Automotive Engineering Technology | 926 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies, Other | 395 |
| Marine Engineering Technology | 27 |
