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 schools below stand out for the salaries their me mechanical engineering graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 11 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.
Our analysis ranked The University Of Tennessee the top school for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of about $116,277 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #2 place for me mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of about $116,793 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in me mechanical engineering will find them at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #3. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $111,987 annually.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $116,720.
University Of Louisville produces some of the highest-paid graduates in me mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Louisville is a public school located in the city of Louisville. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of about $105,609 a year early in their careers.
Auburn University earned the #6 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Auburn University is a public school located in the city of Auburn. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Auburn University earn a median of about $94,863 a year early in their careers.
University Of Florida came in at #7 for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of Florida is a public school located in the city of Gainesville. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $106,467 annually.
Florida State University landed the #8 spot for me mechanical engineering salaries this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of about $89,017 a year early in their careers.
University Of Central Florida placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of about $85,029 a year early in their careers.
Clemson University landed the #10 spot for me mechanical engineering salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Clemson University earn a median of about $80,643 a year early in their careers.
Mercer University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Mercer University earn a median of about $77,368 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 11 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.