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2027 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

54 Colleges in the United States
6,738 Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$74,792 Avg Early-Career Salary

Mechanical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools to find the best for mechanical engineering students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in the Far Western Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 236 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $132,583 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Stanford University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 474 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $97,864. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,200 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Berkeley

3

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #3. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 248 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $95,046. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Southern California

4

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 287 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $93,954 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California Los Angeles

5

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 351 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $87,761 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

6

Tacoma Community College placed #6 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. There were roughly 24 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tacoma Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Typical student debt for the program is $14,822. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Tacoma Community College

7
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University earned the #7 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 84 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $102,962 early in their careers. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Santa Clara University

8

University Of California San Diego earned the #8 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 372 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $91,276 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California San Diego

9

University Of California Irvine earned the #9 position for 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 306 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,633. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Irvine

10

San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 214 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from San Jose State University

11

California Institute Of Technology came in at #11 for mechanical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California Institute Of Technology

12

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #12 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 276 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $84,226 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

13

University Of California Davis came in at #13 for mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 162 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $84,928 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of California Davis

14

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #14 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 297 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $75,040 in their early career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,455 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

15

San Diego State University came in at #15 for mechanical engineering this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 248 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $69,754 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $19,994 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at San Diego State University

16

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 116 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $81,108 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,908 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

17

California Maritime Academy placed #17 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a small public university. California Maritime Academy graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Maritime Academy in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $92,315 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,690 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California Maritime Academy

18

California State University Long Beach landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 261 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $69,823 in their early career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $17,653 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California State University Long Beach

19

George Fox University earned the #19 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Fox University awarded about 29 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $52,898 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at George Fox University

20

California State University Northridge came in at #20 for mechanical engineering this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. About 57% of students finish within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 172 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from California State University Northridge earn around $71,359 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at California State University Northridge

21

California State University Fullerton placed #21 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 171 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $81,909 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $19,040 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California State University Fullerton

22

California State University Sacramento came in at #22 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 156 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $75,511 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,399. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California State University Sacramento

23

San Francisco State University earned the #23 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 57 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from San Francisco State University earn around $72,647 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $22,047 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from San Francisco State University

24

Oregon State University placed #24 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Corvallis. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oregon State University awarded about 374 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Oregon State University earn around $75,529 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,666 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University

25

Washington State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington State University awarded about 223 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $72,690 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Washington State University

Rest of the Top 50 Mechanical Engineering Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong mechanical engineering education:

26
27
28
29
30
Walla Walla University crest
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA
31
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Narrow Mechanical Engineering Schools by State

View All Mechanical Engineering Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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