by our College Data Analytics Team
[Me Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a me mechanical engineering degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the early-career earnings of their me mechanical engineering graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose me mechanical engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Villanova University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Villanova University make a median of around $113,966 per year.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $115,666 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in me mechanical engineering will find them at Bucknell University, which ranked #3. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from Bucknell University typically earn about $99,777 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for me mechanical engineering. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $116,366 annually.
Lehigh University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of about $101,225 a year early in their careers.
Drexel University landed the #6 spot for me mechanical engineering salaries this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Drexel University earn a median of about $99,010 a year early in their careers.
Lafayette College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lafayette College typically earn about $94,144 annually.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown make a median of around $93,999 per year.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus make a median of around $93,999 per year.
Thomas Jefferson University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Thomas Jefferson University make a median of around $79,083 per year.
Widener University Main Campus placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $97,717.
Temple University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Temple University is a public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Temple University earn a median of about $87,733 a year early in their careers.
York College Pennsylvania came in at #13 for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from York College Pennsylvania make a median of around $74,445 per year.
Wilkes University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $84,211.
Gannon University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Gannon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $78,829.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their me mechanical engineering graduates, 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.