2027 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Illinois
Mechanical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools to find the best for mechanical engineering students.
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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall mechanical engineering education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2027 ranking of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 446 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $92,881. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 147 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Northwestern University earn around $79,616 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,334.
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A rank of #3 makes North Central College one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 14 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from North Central College earn around $46,247 in the first couple years of their career. North Central College graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans.
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 216 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $69,871. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Illinois At Chicago
North Park University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from North Park University earn around $51,611 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree.
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Bradley University earned the #6 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Bradley University earn around $71,746 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Bradley University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #7 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 72 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $66,546. Students borrow a median of $23,110 to complete this degree.
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Northern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 111 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $82,161 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Northern Illinois University
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 116 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Illinois Institute Of Technology earn around $74,291 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Illinois Institute Of Technology
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $69,454 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
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More Mechanical Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.