by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 190 U.S. colleges awarded 3,360 degrees and certificates in Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 54% of graduates. College Factual ranks 88 schools in its 2027 Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $57,919 one year after completing, rising to $73,481 after four years.
Studying Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology covers Mechanical/mechanical Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers Engaged In The Design And Development Phases Of A Wide Variety Of Projects Involving Mechanical Systems. Includes Instruction In Principles Of Mechanics, Applications To Specific Engineering Systems, Design Testing Procedures, Prototype And Operational Testing And Inspection Procedures, Manufacturing System-Testing Procedures, Test Equipment Operation And Maintenance, And Report Preparation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology is a widely-pursued major, with 3,360 degrees awarded annually. 190 colleges award mechanical engineering/mechanical technology degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 199.
By level, the 3,360 awards include 70 certificates, 1,034 associate degrees, 1,828 bachelor’s degrees and 427 master’s degrees.
Women earned 14% of mechanical engineering/mechanical technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (457 of 3,360). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,028) and Hispanic or Latino (576), and international students earned 118.
College Factual ranks 88 schools in its 2027 Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools ranking, including 33 for associate degrees and 49 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks mechanical engineering/mechanical technology schools within 24 states. In all, 190 colleges offer mechanical engineering/mechanical technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common mechanical engineering/mechanical technology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,828 of the 3,360 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to mechanical engineering/mechanical technology call most for Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension and Operations Monitoring, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mechanical and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Deductive Reasoning and Inductive Reasoning.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a mechanical engineering/mechanical technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 70 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,034 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,828 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 427 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to mechanical engineering/mechanical technology, at 29.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 29.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 26.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 24.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.1% |
| Some college courses | 6.9% |
| Master’s degree | 4.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology, with an average median salary of $108,571; the strongest outlook belongs to Mechanical Drafters, at 12.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Mechanical Designer, Mechanical Technician (Mechanical Tech), Test Technician (Test Tech) and Remotely Piloted Vehicle Engineering Technician (RPV Engineering Technician).
The occupation related to mechanical engineering/mechanical technology with the most projected jobs is Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians, at 376,668.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | 376,668 | -2.8% |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 361,883 | -1.1% |
| Automotive Engineering Technicians | 193,201 | 0.6% |
| Mechanical Drafters | 127,074 | 12.6% |
| Robotics Technicians | 45,207 | 12.2% |
Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology graduates earn a median $57,919 one year after completing their program, $73,481 after four years and $76,013 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,919 |
| 4 years | $73,481 |
| 5 years | $76,013 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to mechanical engineering/mechanical technology, with a median salary of $134,632.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $134,632 |
| Robotics Technicians | $131,252 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $108,923 |
| Automotive Engineering Technicians | $89,794 |
| Mechanical Drafters | $78,252 |
Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology has 5 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 2,645 degrees a year; the largest are Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician (1,292), Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician (810) and Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians, Other (476). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
