by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Mechanical Engineering covers Mechanical Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Physical Systems Used In Manufacturing And End-Product Systems Used For Specific Uses, Including Machine Tools, Jigs And Other Manufacturing Equipment; Stationary Power Units And Appliances; Engines; Self-Propelled Vehicles; Housings And Containers; Hydraulic And Electric Systems For Controlling Movement; And The Integration Of Computers And Remote Control With Operating Systems. Continue reading for the essential details every general mechanical engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general mechanical engineering programs.
In the U.S., general mechanical engineering draws strong interest, with 42,939 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 424 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general mechanical engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general mechanical engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in General Mechanical Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general mechanical engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a general mechanical engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general mechanical engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general mechanical engineering 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 305 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 33,346 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,465 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,812 |
People currently working in careers related to general mechanical engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 29.3% |
| Master’s degree | 14.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 9.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.5% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general mechanical engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general mechanical engineering opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to general mechanical engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general mechanical engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Automotive Engineers | 266,832 | 6.0% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Cost Estimators | 181,631 | 12.4% |
| Fuel Cell Engineers | 154,557 | -1.8% |
| Aerospace Engineers | 138,496 | 5.1% |
| Mechanical Engineers | 95,445 | 7.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general mechanical engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $72,983 |
| 4 years | $84,027 |
| 5 years | $94,559 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general mechanical engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general mechanical engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fuel Cell Engineers | $137,020 |
| Automotive Engineers | $107,733 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Cost Estimators | $80,966 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $79,543 |
| Aerospace Engineers | $63,328 |
With 424 different general mechanical engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general mechanical engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
