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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Virginia

7 Colleges in the United States
879 General Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$69,631 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Mechanical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools to find the best for general mechanical engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Mechanical Engineering in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general mechanical engineering education in Virginia.

Top Schools in General Mechanical Engineering

1

No school ranked higher than Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University this year for general mechanical engineering. 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. About 446 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $80,722 in the first couple years of their 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

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the top schools for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $74,366 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

3

George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 87 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $73,570 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for George Mason University

4

A rank of #4 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the top schools for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 82 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $73,355 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,235. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University

5

Old Dominion University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 104 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $71,774 in their early career. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University

6
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #6 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Liberty University awarded about 58 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $65,794 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Liberty University

7

Virginia Military Institute landed the #7 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Virginia Military Institute awarded about 33 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $47,837. Students borrow a median of $19,971 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Virginia Military Institute

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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