by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 440 U.S. colleges awarded 43,874 degrees and certificates in General Mechanical Engineering. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 77% of graduates. College Factual ranks 377 schools in its 2027 Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $72,788 one year after completing, rising to $94,109 after four years.
A degree in General Mechanical Engineering covers Mechanical Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Physical Systems Used In Manufacturing And End-Product Systems Used For Specific Uses, Including Machine Tools, Jigs And Other Manufacturing Equipment; Stationary Power Units And Appliances; Engines; Self-Propelled Vehicles; Housings And Containers; Hydraulic And Electric Systems For Controlling Movement; And The Integration Of Computers And Remote Control With Operating Systems.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general mechanical engineering draws strong interest, with 43,874 degrees awarded annually. 440 colleges award general mechanical engineering degrees, an average of 100 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,148.
By level, the 43,874 awards include 36 certificates, 425 associate degrees, 33,841 bachelor’s degrees, 7,772 master’s degrees and 1,797 doctorates.
Women earned 18% of general mechanical engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (8,110 of 43,874). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (23,161) and Hispanic or Latino (6,261), and international students earned 5,728.
College Factual ranks 377 schools in its 2027 Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking, including 18 for associate degrees, 355 for bachelor’s degrees, 169 for master’s degrees and 66 for doctorates. It also ranks general mechanical engineering schools within 52 states. In all, 440 colleges offer general mechanical engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general mechanical engineering credential is the bachelor’s degree: 33,841 of the 43,874 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general mechanical engineering call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and Design, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
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How long a general mechanical engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 36 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 425 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 33,841 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,772 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,797 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general mechanical engineering, at 31.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.3% |
| Master’s degree | 14.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 9.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to General Mechanical Engineering, with an average median salary of $92,377; the strongest outlook belongs to Cost Estimators, at 12.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Mining Teacher, Aeronautics Teacher, Engineering Faculty Member and Aeronautical Engineering Teacher.
The occupation related to general mechanical engineering 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% |
| Automotive Engineers | 266,832 | 6.0% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Cost Estimators | 181,631 | 12.4% |
| Fuel Cell Engineers | 154,557 | -1.8% |
| Aerospace Engineers | 138,496 | 5.1% |
| Mechanical Engineers | 95,445 | 7.7% |
General Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median $72,788 one year after completing their program, $94,109 after four years and $94,160 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $72,788 |
| 4 years | $94,109 |
| 5 years | $94,160 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general mechanical engineering is Fuel Cell Engineers, with a median salary of $137,020.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fuel Cell Engineers | $137,020 |
| Automotive Engineers | $107,733 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Cost Estimators | $80,966 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $79,543 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $63,328 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
