What Are the Best Mechanical Engineering Schools?

Your decision regarding where to spend your time and money on a Mechanical Engineering degree is important. We have compiled several major-specific rankings, one of which is this list of the best mechanical engineering schools, to assist you in making the decision that is most suitable for you.

What are the best mechanical engineering schools?

What are the best mechanical engineering schools? Below is a list of the best mechanical engineering schools in the country.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA

Students who are interested in pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering should strongly consider applying to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a non-profit, private institution that has a sizeable number of undergraduate and graduate students.

In the most recent year, approximately 291 students at MIT studied mechanical engineering and graduated with this degree in the most recent year for which we have data. Students majoring in mechanical engineering who graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn an average of $38,824 more than their peers who earn degrees from other institutions.

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

When it comes to earning a degree in mechanical engineering, Stanford University is consistently ranked among the best mechanical engineering schools in the United States. The Stanford University campus is located in a suburban area of Stanford and is home to a sizable private university that is not-for-profit.

During the most recent academic year, Stanford awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 253 students majoring in this discipline. Students who graduate from Stanford University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering see an increase in their annual income of approximately $17,159 compared to the typical income of mechanical engineering graduates.

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Any student with a desire to study mechanical engineering should look into Johns Hopkins University. The city of Baltimore is home to Johns Hopkins University, which is a large, private institution that does not seek to make a profit.

During the most recent academic year, Johns Hopkins University awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 191 students majoring in this field. Students who graduate from the mechanical engineering program at Johns Hopkins University receive an annual salary that is $12,446 higher than the salary of the average college graduate who has the same degree shortly after graduation.

Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University should be a school of consideration for any student who is considering a career in mechanical engineering. A large number of undergraduate and graduate students attend Duke University, which is a private institution that is not affiliated with any profit-making organizations.

During the most recent academic year, approximately 141 students studying mechanical engineering at Duke earned their bachelor’s degrees. Shortly after graduation, degree recipients from the mechanical engineering program at Duke University earn an average of $2,307 more per year in salary than the typical college graduate who holds the same degree.

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

UPenn a well-known institution, is ranked highly among the best mechanical engineering schools in the country. It is a private university that is not operated for profit and has a very large number of students. It is found in the middle of the city of Philadelphia.

During the most recent academic year, the University of Pennsylvania awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 147 students. Students who graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania see an increase in their earnings of approximately $9,159 above and beyond the typical income of graduates in this field.

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

The University of Michigan, which is also known simply as U-M, is a public institution that is considered to be on the larger side. This university is rated the highest possible overall out of the other 57 colleges and universities in the state of Michigan.

The most recent year reveals that the University of Michigan conferred degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 462 students who completed their studies there. Students who graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor earn an average of $15,179 more in their first few years after college than students who graduate from other colleges with the same degree.

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Ithaca is home to the state’s oldest and most prestigious private institution of higher learning, Cornell University. In the most recent year, Cornell University awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 214 students who had completed their studies there.

Students of mechanical engineering who graduated from Cornell University earn an average of $12,782 more each year than students who graduate from other universities. It is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best mechanical engineering schools in the country.

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN

A large number of students attend Notre Dame University, which is a private institution that does not seek to make a profit and is located in a suburb of Notre Dame.

The most recent year shows that Notre Dame conferred bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering on approximately 135 students who had completed their studies there. When compared to the average income of mechanical engineering majors, the income of graduates with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame increases by approximately $3,683 more.

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Evanston is a relatively small city, but it is home to one of the country’s most prestigious and prestigious private universities: Northwestern. During the most recent academic year, Northwestern awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 142 students studying in this discipline. Those who graduate from the mechanical engineering degree program at Northwestern University earn an average of $8,608 more in their first few years after graduation than other graduates with the same degree.

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University is a prestigious private educational institution that is not-for-profit and has a large number of undergraduate and graduate students. In the most recent academic year, Carnegie Mellon awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 298 students.

Graduates of the mechanical engineering program at Carnegie Mellon University earn an annual salary that is $7,531 higher than the average annual salary of a college graduate working in this field shortly after receiving their degrees.

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY

Columbia University is highly ranked as one of the best mechanical engineering schools. It is a non-profit, private institution of higher education that has a sizeable number of undergraduates enrolled at its New York City campus.

In the most recent academic year, approximately 205 students studying mechanical engineering graduated from Columbia University with their respective degrees. When they enter the workforce, graduates of the mechanical engineering program at Columbia University in the City of New York receive a starting salary that is $5,144 higher than the typical starting salary for college graduates with the same degree.

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

West Lafayette is a relatively small city, but it is home to a relatively large public university known as Purdue. This university comes in at number two out of the 42 schools in the state of Indiana in terms of overall quality. And among the best mechanical engineering schools in the country.

The most recent data year shows that Purdue University awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 582 students who had completed their studies there. Students who earn their degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue University’s Main Campus receive an average of $13,294 more upon graduation than students who earn their degrees from other institutions.

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

The University of Southern California (USC) is a large, independent, not-for-profit educational institution that can be found in the city of Los Angeles.

During the most recent data year, the University of Southern California awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 217 students who had completed their studies there. The earnings of graduates with degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California are approximately $14,603 higher than the typical earnings of graduates with degrees in Mechanical Engineering from other universities.

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA

Georgia Tech is a public university that has a sizeable number of enrolled students and is found in the middle of the sizable city of Atlanta. In terms of the overall quality of Georgia’s colleges and universities, this institution is ranked first out of 69 total options.

In the most recent year, Georgia Tech awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 794 students. This number represents the total number of students who completed the program and received their degrees. When they enter the workforce, graduates of the mechanical engineering program at the Main Campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology earn an average of $8,429 more per year than the typical college graduate in this field does.

University of California – Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

The University of California, Berkeley is a very large public university that can be found in the city of Berkeley, which has a population of about 300,000 people. During the most recent data year, the University of California, Berkeley awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 320 students who had completed their studies there. Students majoring in mechanical engineering who graduate from the University of California at Berkeley earn an average of $19,113 more per year than students who attend other ME schools.

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO

The Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), one of the best mechanical engineering schools in the US, is a private university that does not seek to make a profit, and it has a sizeable number of undergraduate and graduate students. This university is ranked number one out of all 48 schools in the state of Missouri when it comes to overall quality.

During the most recent academic year, the WUSTL mechanical engineering program awarded degrees to approximately 156 students. In comparison to other graduates in the field of mechanical engineering, those who earn their degree from Washington University in St. Louis receive an additional $8,057 in compensation.

Rice University

Houston, TX

Rice University is a private institution of moderate size and does not seek to generate revenue for its administration or faculty. In terms of overall quality, this university comes in at number one out of 116 colleges and universities in the state of Texas.

During the most recent academic year, Rice University awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 77 students majoring in this discipline. ME degree recipients typically begin their careers with an annual salary of around $70,400 not long after they have received their degrees.

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

UF, which stands for the University of Florida, is a public institution of higher education that is home to a sizable number of undergraduate and graduate students. In terms of the overall quality of Florida’s educational institutions, this university comes in at number one, out of a total of 77.

In the most recent year, the University of Florida awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 597 students who had completed their studies there. Students who earn their degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida receive an additional $4,231 in compensation in comparison to other ME students.

University of California – Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public institution of higher education that is home to a sizable number of undergraduate and graduate students. And among the best mechanical engineering schools in the United States. In terms of the overall quality of California’s schools, this university is ranked sixth out of a total of 170 options.

During the most recent academic year for which data are available, UCLA awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 252 students majoring in this discipline. Students who earn their degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles earn an average of $23,210 more than students who earn their degrees from other institutions.

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Nashville is a large city, and Vanderbilt University, which is a private university and does not seek to make a profit, is located there. This university is ranked first out of the other 45 colleges and universities in Tennessee when considering their overall quality.

In the most recent academic year, approximately 66 students in the field of mechanical engineering graduated from Vanderbilt University with their bachelor’s degrees. Students who complete the ME program and graduate with their degree report having an average early career income of $69,605 after they begin working.

Rose – Hulman Institute of Technology

Terre Haute, IN

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is a non-profit private institution that can be found in the city of Terre Haute. The school has a relatively low number of enrolled students.

During the most recent academic year, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology awarded bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 134 of its students majoring in this field. When they enter the workforce, graduates of the mechanical engineering degree program at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology earn an average of $3,309 more per year than the typical college graduate in this field does.

University of Wisconsin – Madison

Madison, WI

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public institution of higher education that is home to a very sizable number of undergraduate and graduate students. Also ranked highly among the best mechanical engineering schools in the country. In terms of overall quality, this university comes in at number one out of Wisconsin’s other 45 colleges and universities.

The most recent data year shows that the University of Wisconsin – Madison awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 268 students seeking this degree. The earnings of students who graduate from the ME program with a degree have been reported to average $70,199 in their early careers.

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University is a non-profit, private institution of higher education that serves a population of students that is roughly equivalent to that of a typical university. This university is ranked third out of 117 colleges in the state of Pennsylvania when considering its overall quality.

In the most recent year, approximately 130 students at Lehigh University who were majoring in mechanical engineering graduated with their respective degrees. When they enter the workforce, graduates of the mechanical engineering major at Lehigh University earn an average of $4,458 more per year than other graduates with the same degree who do not major in mechanical engineering.

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution of higher education that is home to a sizable number of undergraduate and graduate students. This university is rated the second best in Texas out of 116 different colleges and universities for its overall quality.

The most recent data year shows that approximately 359 students earned their bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. The earnings of graduates with degrees in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin increased by approximately $11,906 compared to the average earnings of graduates with degrees in mechanical engineering from other universities.

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech is a public university that has a very large number of students enrolled in it. It is found in the city of Blacksburg. This school is ranked number two out of sixty-five schools in the state of Virginia in terms of overall quality.

During the most recent academic year, Virginia Tech awarded degrees in mechanical engineering to approximately 466 students majoring in this field. Earnings of graduates with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech are approximately $5,510 higher than those of graduates with a major in Mechanical Engineering from other universities.

How do I know if a mechanical engineering degree is right for me?

Now that you know the best mechanical engineering schools, you might be wondering, “How do I know if a degree in mechanical engineering is right for me?”

First things first – if you want to major in mechanical engineering, you need to have a strong aptitude for, and a genuine interest in, mathematics.

To complete their academic requirements and enter the workforce after graduation, students majoring in mechanical engineering need to demonstrate certain characteristics and abilities. Good communication, interpersonal, technical, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities are some of the most important ones.

Since mechanical engineering is a subfield of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), it goes without saying that it requires a significant amount of mathematical knowledge, such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics.

You will need to possess certain attributes that are necessary not only for completing a bachelor’s degree program in mechanical engineering but also for becoming a successful mechanical engineer. The fact that you love numbers is not sufficient evidence to conclude that mechanical engineering is the right major and profession for you.

Take a look at the following queries and provide an answer to each of them by selecting “yes” or “no”:

• Do you love solving problems?
• Would you say that math and science are some of your favorite subjects to study?
• Did people always tell you that you have great communication skills and that you work well in a team?
• Would you be open to working on construction sites, drilling rigs, or manufacturing facilities on an as-needed basis?
• Have you always had a natural curiosity, along with creative and innovative tendencies?
• Do you have a positive outlook and a sense that you can accomplish anything?

If the answer to most or all of the questions presented above was “yes,” then you ought to keep mechanical engineering at or near the top of your list of possible majors to pursue in college.

This is because you may already have what it takes to be successful as a student working toward a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering as well as working as a professional mechanical engineer after earning a license. We will discuss this significant topic in a few, so if you are considering majoring in mechanical engineering and thinking of getting into one of the best mechanical engineering schools, don’t stop reading now.

How long does it take to be a mechanical engineer?

How long does it take to be a mechanical engineer? To get started in the field, you need a bachelor’s degree as well as a license to practice engineering to become a mechanical engineer. On the other hand, you may be able to continue developing your skills and expertise for many years to come, depending on the type of work that interests you.

First, complete a degree program lasting four years.

It typically takes students four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Having this degree ensures that students have the fundamental technical knowledge necessary for obtaining a license and getting started with a job in the field.

Next, obtain a license to practice engineering.

A state license is required to work for the public in any capacity in the United States if you are a mechanical engineer. After earning your bachelor’s degree and completing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which is administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, you will be eligible to submit an application for a license and become a licensed engineer.

You will be able to advance further in your career if you put in the necessary effort to pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam after you have worked for a period of four years (PE). To keep one’s license current, continuing education may be required in some states.

Continue your development by obtaining optional certifications.

Certifications, such as those offered by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, may be necessary to practice in particular subfields of mechanical engineering. These areas include the following:

• advanced control systems design
• advanced materials mechanics
• stress analysis
• convection heat transfer and
• dynamic systems

Earning certifications demonstrates that you meet the requirements for specific fields and/or are qualified for career advancement, even though such certifications are voluntary.

In addition, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) provides credentials in Green Design and Sustainability, which is a burgeoning field for engineering professionals. These credentials are recognized and issued by a third party. A high level of knowledge and expertise is guaranteed by earning credentials from the GBCI.

The following are some examples of other organizations that offer certifications:

• Association for Facilities Engineering
• National Fire Prevention Association
• Green Building Certification Institute
• Project Management Institute
• Engineering Management Certification International
• Associated Air Balance Council

You will be able to advance in your career and become an expert in a particular field if you pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, which requires an additional two years of study. A graduate degree offers a more in-depth education in a particular field, such as robotics, nuclear energy, biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, or the automotive industry. You will expand upon the knowledge you obtained during your undergraduate studies as well as the experience you have gained through your work.

Get your doctorate. It’s worth it.

You can enroll in a university program to earn your doctoral degree if you want to continue your career in mechanical engineering into advanced research, theory, management, or higher education as a professor.

This is something you can do if you want to do any of these things. The amount of time necessary to earn a doctoral degree can vary widely, but in general, it takes between three and five years to complete a Ph.D. program.

Is it worth getting a degree in mechanical engineering?

Is it worth getting a degree in mechanical engineering? The study of mechanical engineering is unquestionably valuable. Earning a degree in mechanical engineering will enable you to compete for a wide variety of jobs, earn competitive salaries, and allow you to have a positive influence on the world. For a very long time to come, mechanical engineering is going to continue to dominate the field of engineering.

A degree in mechanical engineering is very marketable in today’s job market. Your ability to think critically and analytically will significantly improve as a result of the many math and science classes you will take during your time in college.

Employers in a diverse range of industries, including those in the fields of finance and economics, research and development, design, banking, automotive, and manufacturing, have a strong demand for individuals with these skills. And getting into one of the best schools for mechanical engineering mentioned up top is unquestionably a competitive advantage.

In addition, the degree in mechanical engineering is both comprehensive and adaptable. And gaining admission to one of the best mechanical engineering schools is unquestionably advantageous. Because of this, mechanical engineers are able to find work in a wide variety of fields across society.

Having all the necessary information is important before choosing any course of action. AdmissionSight is always here to assist you if you have any questions or concerns. We have more than ten years of expertise assisting students in successfully navigating the challenging admissions process.

Consult with AdmissionSight and find out what we can do to help you get into the school of your choice by ensuring that you are sufficiently aware and well-prepared for the application process.