by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a mechanical engineering technology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 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 Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide the top school for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of about $93,433 a year early in their careers.
Tidewater Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a public institution. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of about $60,555 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Kennesaw State University earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering technology. Set 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Virginia State University earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering technology. Located 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.
Ecpi University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying mechanical engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a private for-profit institution. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Ecpi University earn a median of about $64,003 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering technology salaries this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. After graduating, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte typically earn about $77,696 annually.
Fairmont State University came in at #7 for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a public institution. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,681.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering technology salaries this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a public institution. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of about $53,700 a year early in their careers.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #9 position for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a public school located in the city of Sanford. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates from Seminole State College Of Florida make a median of around $36,453 per year.
Middle Georgia State University landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering technology salaries this year. Middle Georgia State University is a public school located in the city of Macon. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $25,531.
American Public University System came in at #11 for mechanical engineering technology graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the mechanical engineering technology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,094.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries mechanical engineering technology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 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.