by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find where mechanical engineering technology graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose mechanical engineering technology graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in mechanical engineering technology, no school beat California Maritime Academy this year. Set in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a public institution. After graduating, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from California Maritime Academy typically earn about $98,661 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering technology. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $93,433.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Washington University one of the highest-paying schools for mechanical engineering technology. Eastern Washington University is a public school located in the town of Cheney. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from Eastern Washington University make a median of around $80,278 per year.
Central Connecticut State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of about $87,854 a year early in their careers.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver produces some of the highest-paid graduates in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public school located in the city of Denver. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from Metropolitan State College Of Denver make a median of around $89,786 per year.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering technology salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology typically earn about $89,798 annually.
Central Michigan University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying mechanical engineering technology schools. Central Michigan University is a public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. After graduating, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Central Michigan University typically earn about $90,234 annually.
Ferris State University came in at #8 for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a public institution. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of about $86,204 a year early in their careers.
New England Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering technology salaries this year. Set in the suburb of East Greenwich, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from New England Institute Of Technology make a median of around $78,809 per year.
University Of Dayton came in at #10 for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. After graduating, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from University Of Dayton typically earn about $85,129 annually.
Central Washington University earned the #11 position for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a public institution. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of about $83,351 a year early in their careers.
Weber State University earned the #12 position for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Weber State University is a public school located in the city of Ogden. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from Weber State University make a median of around $84,885 per year.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering technology salaries this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,374.
University Of Toledo came in at #14 for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. University Of Toledo is a public school located in the city of Toledo. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from University Of Toledo make a median of around $82,792 per year.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #15 position for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public institution. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne make a median of around $83,383 per year.
Indiana State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a public institution. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,156.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for mechanical engineering technology. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public school located in the city of Indianapolis. After graduating, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis typically earn about $79,190 annually.
Farmingdale State College landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering technology salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a public institution. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,932.
Kennesaw State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,882.
Virginia State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying mechanical engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a public institution. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of about $78,831 a year early in their careers.
Michigan Technological University earned the #21 position for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Michigan Technological University is a public school located in the town of Houghton. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from Michigan Technological University make a median of around $84,118 per year.
Montana State University landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering technology salaries this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a public institution. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,914.
University Of Houston placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for mechanical engineering technology. University Of Houston is a public school located in the city of Houston. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from University Of Houston make a median of around $83,231 per year.
Western New England University came in at #24 for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from Western New England University make a median of around $69,326 per year.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #25 for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a public school located in the city of Buffalo. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from Suny College At Buffalo make a median of around $86,786 per year.
These schools also send mechanical engineering technology graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Mechanical Engineering Technology rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their mechanical engineering technology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 57 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
