by our College Data Analytics Team
[Me Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose me mechanical engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Kettering University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid me mechanical engineering graduates in Michigan. Located in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Kettering University make a median of around $102,774 per year.
Michigan State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $99,381.
Oakland University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in me mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Oakland University is a public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Oakland University make a median of around $105,046 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in me mechanical engineering will find them at Lawrence Technological University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Lawrence Technological University make a median of around $94,853 per year.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor make a median of around $106,500 per year.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from University Of Michigan Dearborn make a median of around $99,846 per year.
Wayne State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Wayne State University make a median of around $98,434 per year.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #8 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $89,093.
Grand Valley State University earned the #9 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Grand Valley State University make a median of around $85,738 per year.
Michigan Technological University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $94,470 a year early in their careers.
Central Michigan University earned the #11 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Central Michigan University make a median of around $91,993 per year.
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from University Of Detroit Mercy make a median of around $78,552 per year.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #13 for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a public institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of about $83,494 a year early in their careers.
Western Michigan University came in at #14 for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from Western Michigan University typically earn about $91,489 annually.
Lake Superior State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Lake Superior State University make a median of around $77,229 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries me mechanical engineering graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 15 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.