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 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 451 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
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh 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.
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 261 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. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Stanford University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 450 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering, ranking #3. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 223 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $114,588 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,750.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Johns Hopkins University
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 405 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin 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. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from The University Of Texas At Austin
Students looking for a strong general mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 447 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $97,864. Students borrow a median of $13,200 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of California Berkeley
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 398 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
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University Of Southern California earned the #7 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 190 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $95,046 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. About 282 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $119,923 in the first couple years of their career. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $11,334 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cornell University landed the #9 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 272 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $92,514 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Cornell University
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 322 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $93,954 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Duke University landed the #11 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 111 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Duke University earn a median of $89,938 early in their careers. Duke University graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Duke University
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #12 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 341 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $81,716 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #13 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 668 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $84,890 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Texas A And M University College Station
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. About 819 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $101,895 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Purdue University Main Campus
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #15 spot 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. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 242 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $88,270 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,960.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Northwestern University came in at #16 for general mechanical engineering this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 142 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Northwestern University earn around $79,616 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $15,334 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Northwestern University
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 346 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $88,747 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #18 for general mechanical engineering this year. 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 466 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $92,369. 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
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #19 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 309 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent 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 California San Diego landed the #20 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 278 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $91,276 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of California San Diego
University Of Notre Dame ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 145 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $84,999. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Notre Dame
San Jose State University came in at #22 for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 216 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
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Santa Clara University earned the #23 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $102,962. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Santa Clara University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #24 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 345 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $76,485 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Maryland College Park
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #25 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 293 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. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $22,777 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Carnegie Mellon University
Rest of the Top 50 General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general mechanical engineering this year:
General Mechanical Engineering Related Rankings by Major
General Mechanical Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 451 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).
