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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find where me mechanical engineering graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose me mechanical engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #1 spot for highest-paid me mechanical engineering graduates in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Washington University In St Louis make a median of around $101,263 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Dordt College earned it the #2 place for me mechanical engineering. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Dordt College make a median of around $82,623 per year.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $95,566.
Strong graduate earnings at Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned it the #4 place for me mechanical engineering. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology typically earn about $91,528 annually.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public school located in the city of Kansas City. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from University Of Missouri Kansas City make a median of around $94,596 per year.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,736.
University Of Kansas came in at #7 for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $94,190.
University Of North Dakota earned the #8 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of North Dakota is a public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of about $88,823 a year early in their careers.
Kansas State University came in at #9 for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Kansas State University is a public school located in the city of Manhattan. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Kansas State University make a median of around $89,754 per year.
Iowa State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Iowa State University make a median of around $88,697 per year.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #11 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from University Of Missouri St Louis make a median of around $90,966 per year.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #12 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato make a median of around $91,980 per year.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #13 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of about $92,439 a year early in their careers.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus typically earn about $86,495 annually.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying me mechanical engineering schools. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public school located in the city of Rapid City. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology typically earn about $89,548 annually.
University Of Iowa came in at #16 for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $86,315.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #17 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $91,075.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #18 for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Saint Cloud State University is a public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $86,091.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #19 for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school located in the city of Lincoln. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of about $84,216 a year early in their careers.
Wichita State University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a public institution. Students who complete the me mechanical engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $88,218.
South Dakota State University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. South Dakota State University is a public school located in the town of Brookings. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from South Dakota State University make a median of around $85,669 per year.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for me mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Me Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of about $74,209 a year early in their careers.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #23 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. After graduating, me mechanical engineering degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University typically earn about $73,622 annually.
Benedictine College earned the #24 position for me mechanical engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career me mechanical engineering graduates from Benedictine College make a median of around $71,539 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 24 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.
