General Mechanical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general mechanical engineering programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 451 schools to find the best for general mechanical engineering students.
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 148 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 $121,408 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Stanford University
Johns Hopkins University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 156 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University 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.
Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Johns Hopkins University
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 131 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $155,889. Typical student debt for the program is $11,334.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for general mechanical engineering. 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 82 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $106,735 early in their careers. 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
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. About 106 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $108,892 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #6 for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 36 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #7 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 84 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 $99,576. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of California Berkeley ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 200 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $97,864. Typical student debt for the program is $13,200.
Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of California Berkeley
Cornell University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 94 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $99,587 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Cornell University
University Of California San Diego placed #10 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 83 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 $112,996. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of California San Diego
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #11 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 144 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $104,503 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete this degree.
Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 218 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 $105,764 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,937 in student loans.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #13 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 90 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 $105,575. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Yale University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 31 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Yale University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #15 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 64 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 $88,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Duke University earned the #16 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 21 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $89,938 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Duke University
Tufts University placed #17 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Tufts University awarded about 20 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $78,441 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Tufts University
Santa Clara University placed #18 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Clara University awarded about 15 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $124,058 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Santa Clara University
Princeton University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $85,328 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Princeton University
University Of California Irvine came in at #20 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 62 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.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of California Irvine
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 126 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $101,504 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 141 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 $93,716 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Pennsylvania placed #23 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 71 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $94,109 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $12,455 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Pennsylvania
California Institute Of Technology placed #24 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 12 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $173,344 in their early career.
Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at California Institute Of Technology
University Of Maryland College Park placed #25 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 24 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.
See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Maryland College Park
Rest of the Top 50 General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general mechanical engineering this year:
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).
