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

63 Colleges in the United States
8,317 General Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$68,176 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Mechanical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 83 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 Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Mechanical Engineering

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for general mechanical engineering. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 111 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Duke University earn a median of $89,938 early in their careers. Duke University graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Duke University

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 782 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $88,431 early in their careers. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

3
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for a strong general mechanical engineering program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 58 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $78,009 in the first couple years of their career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Vanderbilt University

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 418 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Florida earn around $84,811 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $18,131 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Florida

5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 446 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $80,722 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

6

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #6 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 161 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $75,311 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

7
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 223 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Mississippi State University in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $75,161 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Mississippi State University

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 397 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $82,274 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

9

University Of Georgia came in at #9 for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 187 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $73,872 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,814 to complete this degree. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Georgia

10

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #10 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 69 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $74,366 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

11
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #11 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 230 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $84,434 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,514 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Auburn University

12
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #12 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 303 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $76,932 in their early career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Clemson University

13

The University Of Alabama placed #13 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 274 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $75,238 in their early career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for The University Of Alabama

14

Florida International University placed #14 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. Florida International University awarded about 190 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $71,335 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Florida International University

15

University Of Central Florida came in at #15 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 428 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $75,664 in their early career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $22,025 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Central Florida

16

The University Of Tennessee placed #16 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 182 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $65,756 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at The University Of Tennessee

17

George Mason University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 87 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $73,570 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from George Mason University

18
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #18 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 31 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Miami earn around $66,843 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Miami

19

University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #19 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 127 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Alabama At Huntsville in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $73,984 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,897 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of Alabama At Huntsville

20
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #20 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 142 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $75,519. Typical student debt for the program is $24,085. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Florida State University

21

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #21 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 206 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $70,046 early in their careers. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of South Florida Main Campus

22

University Of Louisville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 131 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $79,501 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Louisville

23

University Of Kentucky earned the #23 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 164 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $68,448 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Kentucky

24
John Brown University crest
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University came in at #24 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 10 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at John Brown University in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $50,420 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,216 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for John Brown University

25

West Virginia University landed the #25 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. West Virginia University awarded about 168 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $71,504 early in their careers. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $26,242 in student loans. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for West Virginia University

Rest of the Top 50 General Mechanical Engineering Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general mechanical engineering ranking:

26
27
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN
28
29
30
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 83 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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