Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering remains one of the most practical and well-compensated STEM fields, with graduates earning an average of $64,642 annually. With 298 schools offering this major, students have numerous options but should focus on programs with strong industry connections, modern laboratory facilities, and hands-on project opportunities. Look for curricula that balance theoretical foundations with real-world applications, including internship programs and senior capstone projects. Accreditation by ABET ensures quality standards, while faculty research opportunities can provide valuable experience. The best programs also offer specialization tracks in areas like aerospace, automotive, or renewable energy systems, preparing graduates for diverse career paths in manufacturing, design, and engineering consulting.

Schools Ranked

$77,336

Avg. Program Earnings

77.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	SUNY Maritime College Throggs Neck, New York	$87,973	74.9%	public
2	California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California	$83,177	93.2%	private-nonprofit
3	Duke University Durham, North Carolina	$80,964	95.8%	private-nonprofit
4	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$80,858	96.8%	private-nonprofit
5	University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, Michigan	$80,486	56.6%	public
6	Kettering University Flint, Michigan	$80,255	70.5%	private-nonprofit
7	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts	$79,647	96.1%	private-nonprofit
8	California State University Maritime Academy Vallejo, California	$78,971	66.8%	public
9	Stanford University Stanford, California	$78,343	92.8%	private-nonprofit
10	Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Needham, Massachusetts	$78,343	92.2%	private-nonprofit
11	Oakland University Rochester Hills, Michigan	$76,962	56.9%	public
12	Lawrence Technological University Southfield, Michigan	$76,170	62.6%	private-nonprofit
13	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$76,070	93.2%	public
14	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	$75,936	82.2%	public
15	Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan	$75,921	56.5%	public
16	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$75,921	92.5%	private-nonprofit
17	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$75,518	92.9%	public
18	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$74,687	95.1%	private-nonprofit
19	Santa Clara University Santa Clara, California	$74,576	88.5%	private-nonprofit
20	Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, Michigan	$74,200	61.8%	public
21	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$74,038	85.2%	public
22	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$73,852	62.9%	public
23	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$73,697	83.8%	public
24	Lamar University Beaumont, Texas	$73,446	37.2%	public
25	Saginaw Valley State University University Center, Michigan	$73,378	53.8%	public