Mechanical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their mechanical engineering programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 377 schools to find the best for mechanical engineering students.
Where you study mechanical engineering matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Mechanical Engineering Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Mechanical Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in mechanical engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 251 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $114,588 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 236 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $132,583 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University
Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 474 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $97,864 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,200.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 446 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $92,881. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #5. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 248 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $95,046 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Southern California
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #6 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 417 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $90,902 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from The University Of Texas At Austin
Duke University came in at #7 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 161 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Duke University earn a median of $89,938 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University
Cornell University landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 271 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $92,514. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #9 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. About 282 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $119,923 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,334 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #10 for mechanical engineering this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 214 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $88,270. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete this degree.
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Purdue University Main Campus earned the #11 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 1,148 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $101,895 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,937 in student loans.
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University Of California Los Angeles ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 287 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $93,954. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of California Los Angeles
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #13 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 351 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $87,761 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #14 among the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 461 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $92,369. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Texas A And M University College Station placed #15 among 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. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 610 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $84,890 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #16 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 309 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $81,716 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Tacoma Community College came in at #17 for mechanical engineering this year. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. There were roughly 24 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tacoma Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Typical student debt for the program is $14,822.
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Santa Clara University landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 84 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $102,962 in their early career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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Northwestern University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 147 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $79,616 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,334 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Northwestern University
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 303 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $88,747 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for Ohio State University Main Campus
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 355 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $85,070 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,777.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University
University Of California San Diego placed #22 among the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 372 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $91,276 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of California San Diego
University Of Notre Dame came in at #23 for mechanical engineering this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 142 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $84,999 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Notre Dame
University Of California Irvine landed the #24 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 306 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $67,633 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of California Irvine
Tufts University earned the #25 position for mechanical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 108 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $78,441 early in their careers. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Tufts University
Rest of the Top 50 Mechanical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong mechanical engineering education:
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 · 377 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).
