2027 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
Mechanical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their mechanical engineering programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools to find the best for mechanical engineering students.
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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall mechanical engineering education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Austin the best school in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 417 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $90,902. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
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Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 610 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $84,890 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Texas A And M University College Station
A rank of #3 makes Rice University one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $82,899. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Rice University
Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Arizona State University, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 479 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $81,429 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
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University Of Houston came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 249 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $87,849 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Houston
Texas Tech University earned the #6 position for mechanical engineering this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 338 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $73,268. Students borrow a median of $25,396 to complete this degree.
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University Of Arizona earned the #7 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 123 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $75,211. Typical student debt for the program is $23,391.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Arizona
Southern Methodist University placed #8 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 52 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $79,280 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,708 to complete this degree.
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Arizona State University Skysong earned the #9 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. There were roughly 35 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $75,146. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 238 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $69,905 in their early career. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #11 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 260 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $74,755 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,705.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn around $86,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,014.
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Baylor University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Baylor University awarded about 103 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $75,726 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Tulsa earned the #14 position for mechanical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tulsa. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Tulsa in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $70,220 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Tulsa
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 110 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $71,424 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $21,821 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #16 position for mechanical engineering this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 144 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $80,380 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,080.
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West Texas A And M University landed the #17 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $78,028 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,125.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from West Texas A And M University
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology awarded about 69 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $74,983. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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Lone Star College System ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. There were roughly 14 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Lone Star College System earn around $39,954 in the first couple years of their career. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $15,848 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Lone Star College System
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earned the #20 position for mechanical engineering this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. About 68% of students finish within six years. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott awarded about 62 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $73,433 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Northern Arizona University placed #21 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 118 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $63,252 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,409 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Northern Arizona University
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates 50% of students within six years. About 233 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $78,083. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for The University Of Texas At El Paso
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #23 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 79 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $64,977 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tulsa Community College landed the #24 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Tulsa Community College awarded about 64 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Tulsa Community College graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Tulsa Community College
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin graduates 40% of students within six years. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin awarded about 43 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $65,167. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Rest of the Top 44 Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical engineering ranking:
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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 · 44 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.