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2024 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools

317 Colleges in the United States
44,794 ME Degrees Awarded
$68,989 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #21 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 317 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for mechanical engineering students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 44,794 degrees in mechanical engineering to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Mechanical Engineering School

Best Mechanical Engineering Schools The me program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering rankings. We derive our Best Overall Mechanical Engineering School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Mechanical Engineering Degree Level

Associate Degrees in ME
Bachelor's Degrees in ME
Master's Degrees in ME
Doctor's Degrees in ME

The me school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Mechanical Engineering Schools. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the me degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in ME

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
308 ME Degrees Awarded
5.5% Growth in Graduates

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, MIT is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means MIT is a great school overall.

There were roughly 308 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at MIT in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute of Technology receive an earnings boost of about $38,842 above the typical earnings of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
197 ME Degrees Awarded
$86,167 Median Starting Salary

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in mechanical engineering. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Stanford. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Stanford is a great university overall.

There were approximately 197 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Stanford University earn a boost of about $17,177 above the typical income of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University

3
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
112 ME Degrees Awarded
$78,166 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering needs to check out University of Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were about 112 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from University of Pennsylvania earn $9,177 more than the standard me graduate.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Pennsylvania

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
237 ME Degrees Awarded
8.4% Growth in Graduates

University of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 237 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from University of Southern California earn a boost of about $14,621 above the average income of mechanical engineering majors.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Southern California

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
461 ME Degrees Awarded
$84,186 Median Starting Salary

U-M is a very large public university located in the city of Ann Arbor. This university ranks 1st out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were roughly 461 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor earn $15,197 more than the standard me grad.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
739 ME Degrees Awarded
$77,437 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Atlanta, Georgia Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population. This school ranks 1st out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 739 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Tech in the most recent data year. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus receive $8,447 more than the average me grad.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
125 ME Degrees Awarded
$77,616 Median Starting Salary

Northwestern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 125 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from Northwestern University receive $8,626 more than the standard me student.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
648 ME Degrees Awarded
10.2% Growth in Graduates

Purdue is a very large public university located in the small city of West Lafayette. This university ranks 2nd out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were roughly 648 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Purdue University - Main Campus earn a boost of around $13,312 above the typical income of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University - Main Campus

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
132 ME Degrees Awarded
$72,690 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were about 132 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from University of Notre Dame receive an earnings boost of approximately $3,701 over the average income of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Notre Dame

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
241 ME Degrees Awarded
11.2% Growth in Graduates

Cornell is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Ithaca. This university ranks 3rd out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 241 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Cornell University get an earnings boost of about $12,800 above the typical earnings of mechanical engineering majors.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University

11
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
120 ME Degrees Awarded
$71,314 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Durham, Duke is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were about 120 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering degree program at Duke University get $2,325 more than the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
508 ME Degrees Awarded
37.0% Growth in Graduates

UC Berkeley is a very large public university located in the city of Berkeley. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 508 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering program at University of California - Berkeley earn $19,131 more than the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of California - Berkeley

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
390 ME Degrees Awarded
7.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 390 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from The University of Texas at Austin receive $11,924 more than the standard me grad.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
194 ME Degrees Awarded
1.5% Growth in Graduates

Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore. This university ranks 1st out of 36 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were roughly 194 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from Johns Hopkins University earn $12,464 more than the average me student.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
262 ME Degrees Awarded
$76,539 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.

There were roughly 262 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent year we have data available. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn $7,549 more than the standard me grad.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University

16
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
88 ME Degrees Awarded
12.5% Growth in Graduates

Rice is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Houston. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Rice is a great university overall.

There were approximately 88 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the me program make an average of $70,400 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Rice University

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
272 ME Degrees Awarded
3.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 272 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from University of California - Los Angeles receive $23,228 more than the typical me graduate.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of California - Los Angeles

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
152 ME Degrees Awarded
$77,064 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were roughly 152 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Washington University in St Louis get an earnings boost of approximately $8,075 above the average earnings of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St Louis

19
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
71 ME Degrees Awarded
7.0% Growth in Graduates

Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Nashville. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were about 71 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the me program report average early career income of $69,605.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
193 ME Degrees Awarded
$74,151 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 193 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a boost of about $5,162 above the typical earnings of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University in the City of New York

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
259 ME Degrees Awarded
$70,199 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 259 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the me program make about $70,199 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Wisconsin - Madison

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
574 ME Degrees Awarded
6.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were roughly 574 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from Texas A&M University - College Station get an earnings boost of around $7,412 over the average earnings of mechanical engineering graduates.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University - College Station

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
370 ME Degrees Awarded
18.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 370 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign receive $9,234 more than the typical me student.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

24
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
77 ME Degrees Awarded
7.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Santa Clara, SCU is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 12th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 77 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the mechanical engineering degree program at Santa Clara University earn $17,817 more than the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Santa Clara University

25
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
379 ME Degrees Awarded
$74,517 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a very large student population. This school ranks 2nd out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 379 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available. Those mechanical engineering students who get their degree from Virginia Tech receive $5,528 more than the typical me grad.

More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech

Rest of the Top Best Mechanical Engineering Schools

26
27
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
28
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
29
30
31
32

33

34
35
36
37
38
39
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
40
41

42

43
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
44
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
45
46
47

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Mechanical Engineering Schools award.

Rank College Location
48 Villanova University Villanova, PA
49 New York University New York, NY
50 Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO
51 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
52 Clemson University Clemson, SC
53 Kettering University Flint, MI
54 Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA
55 George Washington University Washington, DC
56 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
57 Boston University Boston, MA
58 Auburn University Auburn, AL
59 University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA
60 Olin College Needham, MA
61 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
62 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
63 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX

Mechanical Engineering by Region

View the Best Mechanical Engineering Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 41 majors within the Engineering area of study, Mechanical Engineering has other similar majors worth exploring.

ME Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Mechanical Engineering 44,794

View All ME Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Electrical Engineering 26,528
Civil Engineering 20,655
Computer Engineering 16,954
Biomedical Engineering 13,222
Chemical Engineering 12,248
General Engineering 11,534
Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering 8,671
Industrial Engineering 8,087
Systems Engineering 3,802
Materials Engineering 3,476

View All ME Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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