2026 Best Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois

1

Harper College
Palatine, IL

No school ranked higher than Harper College this year for manufacturing engineering technology. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 32 manufacturing engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963. Read more about the manufacturing engineering technology program at Harper College

2

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best manufacturing engineering technology schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Illinois University awarded about 14 manufacturing engineering technology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the manufacturing engineering technology program make about $47,926 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,639. Read more about the manufacturing engineering technology program at Western Illinois University

3

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best manufacturing engineering technology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. About 10 manufacturing engineering technology degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in manufacturing engineering technology from College Of Lake County

4

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in manufacturing engineering technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 manufacturing engineering technology students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $73,283 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. See the full manufacturing engineering technology program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

5

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

A rank of #5 makes Lake Land College one of the top schools for manufacturing engineering technology. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Lake Land College awarded about 27 manufacturing engineering technology degrees in the most recent data year. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,769. Get the full manufacturing engineering technology details for Lake Land College

6

Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

Kankakee Community College landed the #6 spot for manufacturing engineering technology this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. About 62 manufacturing engineering technology degrees were awarded at Kankakee Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Kankakee Community College graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Read more about the manufacturing engineering technology program at Kankakee Community College

7

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College landed the #7 spot for manufacturing engineering technology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. Joliet Junior College awarded about 14 manufacturing engineering technology degrees in the most recent data year. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995. See the full manufacturing engineering technology program report for Joliet Junior College