General Mechanical Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 377 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general mechanical engineering students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great General Mechanical Engineering School
The general mechanical engineering program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
General Mechanical Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for General Mechanical Engineering in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Johns Hopkins University the best school in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 251 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $114,588 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Johns Hopkins University
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 236 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $132,583. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Stanford University
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 474 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $97,864 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,200 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 446 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $92,881. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Southern California came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 248 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $95,046. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Southern California
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #6 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 417 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $90,902. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full general mechanical engineering details for The University Of Texas At Austin
Duke University earned the #7 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. Duke University awarded about 161 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Duke University earn around $89,938 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete this degree.
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Cornell University placed #8 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 271 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $92,514. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Cornell University
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #9 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 282 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $119,923 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,334.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #10 for general mechanical engineering this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 214 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $88,270 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 1,148 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $101,895 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete this degree.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Purdue University Main Campus
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #12 position for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 287 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $93,954 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of California Los Angeles
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #13 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 351 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $87,761 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 461 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $92,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #15 for general mechanical engineering this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 610 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $84,890. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #16 position for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 309 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $81,716 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
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Tacoma Community College earned the #17 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 24 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Tacoma Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Tacoma Community College earn around $41,732 in the first couple years of their career. Tacoma Community College graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Tacoma Community College
Santa Clara University earned the #18 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 84 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $102,962 early in their careers. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Santa Clara University
Northwestern University landed the #19 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 147 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $79,616. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $15,334 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Northwestern University
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 303 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $88,747 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Ohio State University Main Campus
Carnegie Mellon University placed #21 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 355 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $85,070 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,777 to complete this degree.
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University Of California San Diego came in at #22 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 372 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $91,276 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
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University Of Notre Dame came in at #23 for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 142 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $84,999 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Notre Dame
University Of California Irvine earned the #24 position for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 306 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $67,633 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,500.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of California Irvine
Tufts University earned the #25 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 108 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Tufts University earn around $78,441 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Tufts University
Rest of the Top 50 General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general mechanical engineering ranking:
General Mechanical Engineering Related Rankings by Major
General Mechanical Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 377 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
