College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California

29 Colleges in the United States
4,969 Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$83,174 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 29 schools to find the best for mechanical engineering students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in California

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

Stanford University tops our 2027 ranking of the best mechanical engineering schools. 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. About 236 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $132,583 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Stanford University

2

University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #2. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 474 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $97,864 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,200. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Berkeley

3

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 248 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $95,046 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Southern California

4

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 287 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $93,954. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 351 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $87,761 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

6
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University earned the #6 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 84 mechanical engineering degrees 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Santa Clara University

7

University Of California San Diego ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students 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. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $91,276. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of California San Diego

8

University Of California Irvine came in at #8 for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 306 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $67,633 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California Irvine

9

San Jose State University came in at #9 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. 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. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at San Jose State University

10

California Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 71 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $173,344 in their early career. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California Institute Of Technology

11

University Of California Davis placed #11 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 162 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $84,928. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California Davis

12

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #12 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. 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. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $75,040 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,455 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona

13

San Diego State University landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 248 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $69,754. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $19,994 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from San Diego State University

14

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #14 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 116 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $81,108. Students borrow a median of $15,908 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of California Santa Barbara

15

California Maritime Academy came in at #15 for mechanical engineering this year. 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. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $92,315. Typical student debt for the program is $19,690. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California Maritime Academy

16

California State University Long Beach came in at #16 for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 261 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $69,823. 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

17

California State University Northridge earned the #17 position 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. About 172 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $71,359 early in their careers. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for California State University Northridge

18

California State University Fullerton earned the #18 position for mechanical engineering this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 171 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $81,909 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,040. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at California State University Fullerton

19

California State University Sacramento landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. 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. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $75,511 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California State University Sacramento

20

San Francisco State University landed the #20 spot for mechanical engineering this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $72,647. 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 ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 50 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $65,938 in their early career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $17,533 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for California State University Fresno

22

University Of California Riverside ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 148 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $62,554 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California Riverside

23

University Of California Merced placed #23 among the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 131 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $67,096 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Merced

24

California State University Los Angeles came in at #24 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 117 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from California State University Los Angeles earn around $55,405 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for California State University Los Angeles

25

California State University Chico earned the #25 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 45 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $73,297 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,354 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California State University Chico

Rest of the Top 29 Mechanical Engineering Schools

These schools also placed among the best for mechanical engineering this year:

26
27
28
29

View All Mechanical Engineering Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options