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

39 Colleges in the United States
5,115 General Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$67,824 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Mechanical Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 58 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general mechanical engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Mechanical Engineering in the Southwest Region

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

Top Schools in General Mechanical Engineering

1

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general mechanical engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 405 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $90,902 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Students looking for a strong general mechanical engineering program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #2. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. About 668 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $84,890 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Texas A And M University College Station

3
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 83 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $82,899 early in their careers. Rice University graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Rice University

4

Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general mechanical engineering, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 508 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $81,429 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Arizona State University

5

Students looking for a strong general mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Houston, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Houston awarded about 234 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $87,849. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Houston

6

University Of Arizona earned the #6 position for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 104 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $75,211 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,391 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of Arizona

7

Texas Tech University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Texas Tech University awarded about 348 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Texas Tech University earn around $73,268 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,396 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Texas Tech University

8

Southern Methodist University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 57 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $79,280. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $17,708 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Southern Methodist University

9

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #9 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. About 286 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $69,905 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,750. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

10

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #10 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of New Mexico Main Campus awarded about 108 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn around $86,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,014. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of New Mexico Main Campus

11

University Of Tulsa earned the #11 position for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 54 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Tulsa in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Tulsa earn a median of $70,220 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Tulsa

12

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #12 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 230 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $74,755 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,705. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for The University Of Texas At Dallas

13

The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #13 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 164 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $80,380 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,080 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

14

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #14 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 127 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $71,424 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,821. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

15

Baylor University earned the #15 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Baylor University awarded about 80 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Baylor University earn around $75,726 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Baylor University

16
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System earned the #16 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. About 22 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $39,954 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,848. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Lone Star College System

17

West Texas A And M University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 42 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from West Texas A And M University earn around $78,028 in the first couple years of their career. West Texas A And M University graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for West Texas A And M University

18

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 81 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $74,983 in their early career. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

19

Arizona State University Skysong came in at #19 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 19 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $75,146 early in their careers. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Arizona State University Skysong

20

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn around $65,167 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

21

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. New Mexico State University Main Campus awarded about 104 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from New Mexico State University Main Campus earn around $62,813 in the first couple years of their career. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,759 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for New Mexico State University Main Campus

22

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #22 position for general mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates 50% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At El Paso awarded about 199 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $78,083 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at The University Of Texas At El Paso

23

The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 77 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $64,977 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,125. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Tyler

24
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. This large public university is located in the city of Odessa. Odessa College awarded about 11 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Odessa College

25

Grand Canyon University placed #25 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 71 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Grand Canyon University earn around $68,391 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Grand Canyon University

Rest of the Top 43 General Mechanical Engineering Schools

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

26
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
37
38
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
39
40
41
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
42
43

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 58 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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