2026 Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best school in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 398 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $92,881 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 142 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $79,616 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,334 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Northwestern University

3

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering, ranking #3. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. North Central College awarded about 20 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from North Central College earn around $46,247 in the first couple years of their career. North Central College graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from North Central College

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 218 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $69,871 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $71,746 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Bradley University

6

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #6 for general mechanical engineering this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $66,546 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $23,110 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

7

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 137 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $82,161 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Northern Illinois University

8

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for general mechanical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 110 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $74,291 early in their careers. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Illinois Institute Of Technology

9

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #9 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 30 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $69,454. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

10

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University placed #10 among the best general mechanical engineering 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. There were roughly 12 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $47,926 in their early career. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Western Illinois University