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2027 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

73 Colleges in the United States
8,425 Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$66,981 Avg Early-Career Salary

Mechanical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. 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 73 schools to find the best for mechanical engineering students.

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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall mechanical engineering education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. There were roughly 161 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $89,938. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 83 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $78,009 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Vanderbilt University

3

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 760 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $88,431 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Florida, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 404 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $84,811 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,131 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Florida

5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 407 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $80,722 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

6

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 406 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $82,274 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

7

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #7 for mechanical engineering this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 123 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $75,311. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

8
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Mississippi State. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 242 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Mississippi State University earn around $75,161 in the first couple years of their career. Mississippi State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Mississippi State University

9

Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 12 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $53,507 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Tulane University Of Louisiana

10

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #10 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 90 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $74,366 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

11
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #11 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Auburn University awarded about 253 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $84,434 in their early career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $24,514 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Auburn University

12
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #12 for mechanical engineering this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 350 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $76,932 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Clemson University

13

The University Of Alabama came in at #13 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 229 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $75,238 in their early career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for The University Of Alabama

14

University Of Georgia earned the #14 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 206 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $73,872 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,814. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Georgia

15

George Mason University landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 85 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $73,570 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full mechanical engineering details for George Mason University

16

Florida International University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 181 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $71,335 early in their careers. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Florida International University

17

The University Of Tennessee placed #17 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 241 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $65,756 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at The University Of Tennessee

18

University Of Central Florida came in at #18 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 457 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $75,664. Students borrow a median of $22,025 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Central Florida

19

University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 108 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Huntsville in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $73,984 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,897 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Alabama At Huntsville

20
John Brown University crest
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University landed the #20 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. John Brown University awarded about 15 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $50,420 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,216. Get the full mechanical engineering details for John Brown University

21
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #21 for mechanical engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 123 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Florida State University earn around $75,519 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $24,085 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Florida State University

22

University Of Louisville landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 119 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Louisville in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $79,501 in their early career. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Louisville

23

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #23 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 193 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $70,046 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

24

University Of Kentucky came in at #24 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 148 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $68,448 early in their careers. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Kentucky

25
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 44 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $66,843. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Miami

Rest of the Top 50 Mechanical Engineering Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical engineering ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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 · 73 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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