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2023 Most Focused Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering in California

30 Ranked Colleges
5,137 Degrees Awarded
$33,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 46,178 people earned their degree in general mechanical engineering, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 5,137 general mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree in general mechanical engineering. That schools that top this list have a program in general mechanical engineering in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering in California

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University Maritime Academy. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. Cal Maritime is a small school located in Vallejo, California that handed out 19 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full California State University Maritime Academy General Mechanical Engineering Report

2

Out of the 30 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. Caltech is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 51 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Merced. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. University of California - Merced is a medium-sized public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 171 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Merced General Mechanical Engineering Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 321 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

5
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 30 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 253 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Stanford University General Mechanical Engineering Report

6

With a ranking of #6, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. Cal Poly Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 247 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

7

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 379 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at University of California - San Diego

8

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 359 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Irvine General Mechanical Engineering Report

9

California State University - Sacramento came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 229 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Sac State

10
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

With a ranking of #10, Santa Clara University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. Santa Clara University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Clara, California. It awarded 71 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Santa Clara University General Mechanical Engineering Report

11

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 173 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Los Angeles

12
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 243 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University

13

University of California - Davis ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 274 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UC Davis

14

University of California - Berkeley came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 320 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Berkeley General Mechanical Engineering Report

15
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #15, Loyola Marymount University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola Marymount University General Mechanical Engineering Report

16

California State University - Northridge came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 234 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CSUN General Mechanical Engineering Report

17
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking, coming in at #17. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 209 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Jose State University General Mechanical Engineering Report

18

University of California - Riverside ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 144 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UCR

19
USD crest
University of San Diego
San Diego, California

University of San Diego landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking. USD is located in San Diego, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at USD

20

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking, coming in at #20. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 211 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Fullerton

21

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 194 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full CSULB General Mechanical Engineering Report

22
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal Baptist General Mechanical Engineering Report

23

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 252 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles General Mechanical Engineering Report

24

California State University - Chico landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 72 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Chico State General Mechanical Engineering Report

25
Naval Postgraduate School crest
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, California

Naval Postgraduate School did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on General Mechanical Engineering Major in California ranking, coming in at #25. Naval Postgraduate School is a public institution located in Monterey, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Naval Postgraduate School

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