by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the early-career earnings of their mechanical engineering technology graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send mechanical engineering technology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked California Maritime Academy the top school for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a public institution. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $98,661.
Eastern Washington University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Eastern Washington University is a public school located in the town of Cheney. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $80,278.
Central Washington University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Central Washington University is a public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of about $83,351 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes International Air And Hospitality Academy one of the highest-paying schools for mechanical engineering technology. International Air And Hospitality Academy is a private for-profit school located in the city of Vancouver. After graduating, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from International Air And Hospitality Academy typically earn about $66,209 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in mechanical engineering technology will find them at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #5. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school located in the suburb of Pomona. After graduating, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona typically earn about $64,243 annually.
Art Center College Of Design ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying mechanical engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Art Center College Of Design typically earn about $59,384 annually.
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 · 6 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.
