2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 261 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $132,583. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Stanford University

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 447 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $97,864 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,200 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California Berkeley

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 190 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Southern California earn around $95,046 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Southern California

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 322 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $93,954 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

A rank of #5 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. 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. There were roughly 309 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $87,761 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

6

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 278 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $91,276. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California San Diego

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #7 among the best mechanical engineering schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 216 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Get the full mechanical engineering details for San Jose State University

8

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University earned the #8 position for mechanical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Santa Clara University earn around $102,962 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Santa Clara University

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 285 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $67,633 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California Irvine

10

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 55 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California Institute Of Technology

11

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #11 spot for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 182 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $84,928 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Davis

12

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #12 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 258 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,040 early in their careers. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,455 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

13

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #13 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 210 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $69,754 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,994. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from San Diego State University

14

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #14 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 125 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data 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. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Santa Barbara

15

California Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA

California Maritime Academy landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering this year. This small public university is located in the city of Vallejo. About 60% of students finish within six years. California Maritime Academy awarded about 43 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $92,315. California Maritime Academy graduates carry a median of $19,690 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at California Maritime Academy

16

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #16 for mechanical engineering this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 210 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. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California State University Northridge

17

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 269 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $69,823 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,653. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California State University Long Beach

18

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 159 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $81,909. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $19,040 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for California State University Fullerton

19

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #19 among the best mechanical engineering schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 153 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $75,511 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at California State University Sacramento

20

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #20 spot for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 71 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. Students borrow a median of $22,047 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at San Francisco State University

21

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #21 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fresno awarded about 42 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $65,938. Students borrow a median of $17,533 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for California State University Fresno

22

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico placed #22 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Chico awarded about 64 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $73,297 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,354. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at California State University Chico

23

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #23 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. University Of California Riverside awarded about 162 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $62,554. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of California Riverside

24

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego placed #24 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 42 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $77,962. Students borrow a median of $26,093 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of San Diego

25

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University placed #25 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $60,798. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Loyola Marymount University