by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 17 U.S. colleges awarded 126 degrees and certificates in General Engineering Mechanics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best General Engineering Mechanics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $76,585 one year after completing, rising to $95,096 after four years.
A major in General Engineering Mechanics explores Engineering Mechanics. A Program With A General Focus On The Application Of The Mathematical And Scientific Principles Of Classical Mechanics To The Analysis And Evaluation Of The Behavior Of Structures, Forces And Materials In Engineering Problems. Includes Instruction In Statics, Kinetics, Dynamics, Kinematics, Celestial Mechanics, Stress And Failure, And Electromagnetism.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general engineering mechanics draws strong interest, with 126 degrees awarded annually. 17 colleges award general engineering mechanics degrees, an average of 7 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 41.
By level, the 126 awards include 1 associate degrees, 62 bachelor’s degrees, 47 master’s degrees and 16 doctorates.
Women earned 13% of general engineering mechanics degrees and certificates in the latest year (16 of 126). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (56) and Asian (16), and international students earned 33.
College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best General Engineering Mechanics Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks general engineering mechanics schools within 3 states. In all, 17 colleges offer general engineering mechanics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Engineering Mechanics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general engineering mechanics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 62 of the 126 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general engineering mechanics call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Speaking, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and Design, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a general engineering mechanics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 62 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 47 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 16 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general engineering mechanics, at 34.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 27.0% |
| Master’s degree | 13.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
15 occupations are related to General Engineering Mechanics, with an average median salary of $95,614; the strongest outlook belongs to Solar Energy Systems Engineers, at 14.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Engineer, Chemical Engineering Professor, Technical Professor and Marine Engineering Professor.
The occupation related to general engineering mechanics with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Automotive Engineers | 266,832 | 6.0% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
General Engineering Mechanics graduates earn a median $76,585 one year after completing their program, $95,096 after four years and $95,412 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $76,585 |
| 4 years | $95,096 |
| 5 years | $95,412 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general engineering mechanics is Fuel Cell Engineers, with a median salary of $137,020.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fuel Cell Engineers | $137,020 |
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Automotive Engineers | $107,733 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
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