by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in General Engineering Mechanics explores Engineering Mechanics. A Program With A General Focus On The Application Of The Mathematical And Scientific Principles Of Classical Mechanics To The Analysis And Evaluation Of The Behavior Of Structures, Forces And Materials In Engineering Problems. Includes Instruction In Statics, Kinetics, Dynamics, Kinematics, Celestial Mechanics, Stress And Failure, And Electromagnetism. Continue reading for the essential details every general engineering mechanics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general engineering mechanics programs.
Nationwide, general engineering mechanics draws strong interest, with 190 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Engineering Mechanics Schools ranking analyzes these 18 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general engineering mechanics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general engineering mechanics programs later in this article.
Programs in General Engineering Mechanics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general engineering mechanics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a general engineering mechanics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general engineering mechanics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general engineering mechanics degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 67 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 66 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 53 |
People currently working in careers related to general engineering mechanics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 27.0% |
| Master’s degree | 13.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general engineering mechanics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general engineering mechanics opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general engineering mechanics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general engineering mechanics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Automotive Engineers | 266,832 | 6.0% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general engineering mechanics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $76,585 |
| 4 years | $84,662 |
| 5 years | $95,412 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general engineering mechanics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general engineering mechanics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fuel Cell Engineers | $137,020 |
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Automotive Engineers | $107,733 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
With 18 different general engineering mechanics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general engineering mechanics school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
