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2026 Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region

20 Colleges in the United States
832 Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Degrees Awarded
$56,401 Avg Early-Career Salary

Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician programs.

College Factual analyzed 63 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools.

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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician

1

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 20 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $93,115 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program at Northwestern University

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 151 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $67,093 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician details for Purdue University Main Campus

3
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Ferris State University awarded about 85 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $61,949. Ferris State University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program at Ferris State University

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 38 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $66,816 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,319 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

5

University Of Dayton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, ranking #5. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Dayton awarded about 23 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $66,055 in their early career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program at University Of Dayton

6

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 24 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Typical student debt for the program is $24,619. Get the full mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

7

Waukesha County Technical College came in at #7 for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Pewaukee. About 10 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees were awarded at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree from Waukesha County Technical College earn around $46,398 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,595. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician from Waukesha County Technical College

8

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #8 for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College awarded about 19 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $45,873 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,017. Read more about the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College

9

Kent State University At Kent came in at #9 for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 19 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $44,776 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,387. Read more about the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program at Kent State University At Kent

10

Sinclair Community College came in at #10 for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Sinclair Community College awarded about 19 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $48,312 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,525. Read more about the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program at Sinclair Community College

11
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College earned the #11 position for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. There were roughly 32 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students who graduated with this degree at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $40,734 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician from Ivy Tech Community College

12

University Of Toledo landed the #12 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $66,034 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician from University Of Toledo

13
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Indiana State University graduates 43% of students within six years. Indiana State University awarded about 33 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $66,479. Typical student debt for the program is $26,990. Read more about the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program at Indiana State University

14

Edison State Community College came in at #14 for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. About 49 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees were awarded at Edison State Community College in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician details for Edison State Community College

15

Columbus State Community College earned the #15 position for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. About 15 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees were awarded at Columbus State Community College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $9,041. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician from Columbus State Community College

16

Purdue University Northwest came in at #16 for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Purdue University Northwest graduates 43% of students within six years. About 27 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees were awarded at Purdue University Northwest in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $65,059 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician from Purdue University Northwest

17

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates 36% of students within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne awarded about 37 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $65,385. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program report for Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne

18

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #18 among the best mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. This large public university is located in the city of Akron. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students who graduated with this degree at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $57,006. Students borrow a median of $23,666 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program report for University Of Akron Main Campus

19

Michigan Technological University placed #19 among the best mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $61,443. Students borrow a median of $29,875 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program at Michigan Technological University

20

Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #20 position for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. Cuyahoga Community College District awarded about 11 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree from Cuyahoga Community College District earn around $39,394 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician from Cuyahoga Community College District

21
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College came in at #21 for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Stark State College awarded about 12 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $35,362 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician from Stark State College

22

North Central State College placed #22 among the best mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 33 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students who graduated with this degree at North Central State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree from North Central State College earn around $47,458 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,236. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician from North Central State College

23
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #23 for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Central Michigan University awarded about 10 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree from Central Michigan University earn around $64,284 in the first couple years of their career. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician details for Central Michigan University

24

Wayne State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Wayne State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 15 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $55,469 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program report for Wayne State University

25

Youngstown State University earned the #25 position for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. This large public university is located in the city of Youngstown. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 25 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students who graduated with this degree at Youngstown State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program make about $56,656 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,349 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program report for Youngstown State University

Rest of the Top 26 Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician education:

26

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 63 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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