2026 Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
General Mechanical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 68 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general mechanical engineering students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for General Mechanical Engineering in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general mechanical engineering education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in General Mechanical Engineering
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 261 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Stanford University earn around $132,583 in the first couple years of their career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for general mechanical engineering. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 447 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $97,864 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,200.
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University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 190 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Southern California earn around $95,046 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Southern California
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for general mechanical engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 322 general mechanical engineering degrees 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. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of California Los Angeles
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 309 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $87,761. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California San Diego placed #6 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
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San Jose State University came in at #7 for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 216 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
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Santa Clara University came in at #8 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 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.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Santa Clara University
University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 285 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data 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.
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California Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for general mechanical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 55 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344.
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University Of California Davis earned the #11 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 182 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $84,928. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of California Davis
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 258 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $75,040 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,455 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 285 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $84,226 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
San Diego State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 210 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $69,754 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $19,994 in student loans.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for San Diego State University
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #15 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 125 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $81,108 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,908.
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California Maritime Academy came in at #16 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a small public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 43 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Maritime Academy in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California Maritime Academy earn a median of $92,315 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,690.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from California Maritime Academy
California State University Northridge landed the #17 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 210 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $71,359 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for California State University Northridge
California State University Long Beach came in at #18 for general mechanical engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 269 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $69,823 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,653 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from California State University Long Beach
California State University Fullerton ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 159 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $81,909. Students borrow a median of $19,040 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from California State University Fullerton
George Fox University came in at #20 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 24 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at George Fox University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from George Fox University earn around $52,898 in the first couple years of their career. George Fox University graduates carry a median of $25,324 in student loans.
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Tacoma Community College placed #21 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Tacoma. About 16 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Tacoma Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Typical student debt for the program is $14,822.
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California State University Sacramento landed the #22 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 153 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $75,511 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,399.
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Washington State University placed #23 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Washington State University awarded about 259 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Washington State University earn around $72,690 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
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San Francisco State University earned the #24 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 71 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $72,647. Typical student debt for the program is $22,047.
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California State University Fresno earned the #25 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. About 42 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $65,938 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,533 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from California State University Fresno
Rest of the Top 50 General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general mechanical engineering this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 68 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
