2026 Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 261 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $132,583 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Stanford University

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Students looking for a strong general mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 447 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $13,200 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of California Berkeley

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering, ranking #3. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 190 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent 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. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of Southern California

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong general mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 322 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. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of California Los Angeles

5

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

A rank of #5 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for general mechanical engineering. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 309 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $87,761. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

6

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #6 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. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $91,276. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of California San Diego

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #7 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish 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. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for San Jose State University

8

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University came in at #8 for general mechanical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 55 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $102,962 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Santa Clara University

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

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. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 285 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,633. Typical student debt for the program is $14,500. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of California Irvine

10

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. About 55 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from California Institute Of Technology

11

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #11 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 182 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $84,928 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of California Davis

12

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #12 for general mechanical engineering this year. 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. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 258 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,040 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,455. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

13

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #13 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 210 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from San Diego State University earn around $69,754 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,994. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from San Diego State University

14

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #14 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 125 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $81,108 in their early career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,908 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of California Santa Barbara

15

California Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA

California Maritime Academy landed the #15 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. About 60% of students finish within six years. California Maritime Academy awarded about 43 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $92,315 in their early career. California Maritime Academy graduates carry a median of $19,690 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for California Maritime Academy

16

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge landed the #16 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 210 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $71,359 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for California State University Northridge

17

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #17 position for general mechanical engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish 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. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $17,653 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at California State University Long Beach

18

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #18 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 159 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton 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. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at California State University Fullerton

19

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #19 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. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $75,511. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at California State University Sacramento

20

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #20 for general mechanical engineering this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 71 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $72,647. Students borrow a median of $22,047 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for San Francisco State University

21

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. About 57% of students finish within six years. California State University Fresno awarded about 42 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $65,938 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,533 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for California State University Fresno

22

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. California State University Chico graduates 63% of students within six years. California State University Chico awarded about 64 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $73,297 early in their careers. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $24,354 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for California State University Chico

23

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #23 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 162 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $62,554 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of California Riverside

24

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego landed the #24 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of San Diego awarded about 42 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $77,962 early in their careers. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $26,093 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of San Diego

25

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University came in at #25 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 36 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $60,798 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Loyola Marymount University