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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

50 Colleges in the United States
6,538 General Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$70,456 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Mechanical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general mechanical engineering programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 75 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general mechanical engineering students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Mechanical Engineering in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general mechanical engineering education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in General Mechanical Engineering

1

No school ranked higher than Pennsylvania State University Main Campus this year for general mechanical engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 450 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2

Johns Hopkins University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 223 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $114,588 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Johns Hopkins University

3

Cornell University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 272 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $92,514. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Cornell University

4

Students looking for a strong general mechanical engineering program will find one at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 242 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $88,270. Typical student debt for the program is $16,960. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Columbia University In The City Of New York

5

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 345 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $76,485. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Maryland College Park

6

Carnegie Mellon University placed #6 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 293 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $85,070 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,777. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Carnegie Mellon University

7
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 155 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $80,493 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,455 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Pennsylvania

8
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #8 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 94 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Princeton University earn around $85,328 in the first couple years of their career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Princeton University

9
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University came in at #9 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Bucknell University awarded about 42 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $79,391 in their early career. Bucknell University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Bucknell University

10
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University earned the #10 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Villanova University awarded about 100 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $89,620. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $25,995 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Villanova University

11

Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stevens Institute Of Technology awarded about 264 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $83,493 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,520. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute Of Technology

12

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #12 for general mechanical engineering this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 206 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $77,917 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

13

George Washington University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from George Washington University earn around $82,361 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for George Washington University

14

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #14 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Troy. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awarded about 194 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn around $79,778 in the first couple years of their career. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

15

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #15 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 174 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $85,170 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

16
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University earned the #16 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 126 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $87,015 early in their careers. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $24,950 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Lehigh University

17

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned the #17 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College

18
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #18 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 139 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $64,687 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,140. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for New York University

19

University Of Delaware came in at #19 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 189 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Delaware earn around $74,313 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Delaware

20

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #20 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Middletown. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 62 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg in the most recent year. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg

21

Suny At Binghamton placed #21 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 161 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $74,159 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Suny At Binghamton

22
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #22 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 138 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Stony Brook University earn around $75,743 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,008. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Stony Brook University

23
Suny Maritime College crest
Suny Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY

Suny Maritime College came in at #23 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public university. About 66% of students finish within six years. Suny Maritime College awarded about 64 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Suny Maritime College earn a median of $77,895 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Suny Maritime College

24

Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 52 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art generally make around $16,678. Students borrow a median of $16,805 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art

25

University Of Rochester earned the #25 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Rochester awarded about 68 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $73,828. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Rochester

Rest of the Top 50 General Mechanical Engineering Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general mechanical engineering education:

26
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
27
28
29
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
30
31
32
33
34
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
35
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
36
37
38
39
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
40
41
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY
42
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA
43
Union College New York crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, NY
44
45
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
46
Manhattan College crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY
47
48
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA
49
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 75 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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