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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Mechanical Engineering

426 Ranked Colleges
$34,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on ME Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Mechanical Engineering is the 21st most popular major in the country with 44,794 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $68,989 and had an average of $22,844 in loans still to pay off.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major” ranking, we looked at 426 colleges that offer a degree in mechanical engineering. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in mechanical engineering.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on ME Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for me students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Mechanical Engineering

1
Kettering crest
Kettering University
Flint, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kettering University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. This small school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 193 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Kettering Mechanical Engineering Report

2
Olin College crest
Olin College
Needham, Massachusetts

Out of the 426 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Olin College landed the #2 spot on the list. Olin College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Needham, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Olin College

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major. This small school is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and it awarded 120 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Rose - Hulman Institute of Technology

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida Polytechnic University. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major. Lakeland, Florida is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s me degrees to 51 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Florida Poly

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan Technological University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. Michigan Technological University is a medium-sized school located in Houghton, Michigan that handed out 378 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Technological University

6
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Golden, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s me degrees to 360 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines

7

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology ranked #7 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. Socorro, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s me degrees to 61 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

8

Milwaukee School of Engineering did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 134 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full MSOE Mechanical Engineering Report

9
Clarkson crest
Clarkson University
Potsdam, New York

Clarkson University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking, coming in at #9. This small school is located in Potsdam, New York, and it awarded 180 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson University

10

Lawrence Technological University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Southfield, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 75 diplomas to qualified ’s me students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University

11
WPI crest
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s me degrees to 377 students in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at WPI

12
Rensselaer at Hartford crest
Rensselaer at Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut

With a ranking of #12, Rensselaer at Hartford did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. Rensselaer at Hartford is a small school located in Hartford, Connecticut that handed out 11 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Rensselaer at Hartford

13

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is located in New York, New York and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 22 ’s me degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Cooper Union

14

With a ranking of #14, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Troy, New York, and it awarded 264 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full RPI Mechanical Engineering Report

15

With a ranking of #15, Wright State University - Lake Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. Wright State University - Lake Campus is a small public school situated in Celina, Ohio. It awarded 22 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Wright State University - Lake Campus Mechanical Engineering Report

16

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. SD Mines is a public institution located in Rapid City, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 110 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full SD Mines Mechanical Engineering Report

17

Wentworth Institute of Technology landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. WIT is a small school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 109 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at WIT

18

With a ranking of #18, California State University Maritime Academy did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. Located in Vallejo, California, this small public school awarded 42 diplomas to qualified ’s me students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University Maritime Academy

19

Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico is located in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 84 ’s me degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico

20

Missouri University of Science and Technology did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking, coming in at #20. Missouri University of Science and Technology is located in Rolla, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 278 ’s me degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Mechanical Engineering Report

21

University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking, coming in at #21. UW - Platteville is a public institution located in Platteville, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 197 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UW - Platteville

22

Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico - Orlando ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. This small school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 8 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico - Orlando

23
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on ME Major list. Lexington, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s me degrees to 30 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Military Institute

24

University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez is a public institution located in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 147 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UPR Mayaguez

25
Manhattan crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, New York

Manhattan College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major ranking, coming in at #25. This small school is located in Riverdale, New York, and it awarded 88 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Manhattan

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on ME Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

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38
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA
39
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46
Union College crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, NY
47
48
SUNY Maritime College crest
SUNY Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on ME Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL
52Alfred UniversityAlfred, NY
53University of PortlandPortland, OR
54Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - PrescottPrescott, AZ
55United States Naval AcademyAnnapolis, MD
56Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA
57Trine UniversityAngola, IN
58Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, AL
59University of TulsaTulsa, OK
60University of Massachusetts - LowellLowell, MA
61Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA
62York College of PennsylvaniaYork, PA
63Walla Walla UniversityCollege Place, WA
64Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne, FL

Notes and References

References

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Footnotes

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