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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

45 Colleges in the United States
6,687 Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$74,408 Avg Early-Career Salary

Mechanical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their mechanical engineering programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 68 schools to find the best for mechanical engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in the Far Western 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 mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 261 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $132,583 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University

2

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #2. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 447 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $97,864 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,200 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Berkeley

3

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 190 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $95,046. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Southern California

4

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 322 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $93,954. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 309 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $87,761. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

6

University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for mechanical engineering this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 278 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $91,276 early in their careers. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California San Diego

7

San Jose State University earned the #7 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 216 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full mechanical engineering details for San Jose State University

8
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University earned the #8 position for mechanical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 55 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $102,962. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Santa Clara University

9

University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 285 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,633. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of California Irvine

10

California Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for mechanical engineering this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 55 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $173,344 in their early career. Get the full mechanical engineering details for California Institute Of Technology

11

University Of California Davis landed the #11 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 182 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $84,928 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California Davis

12

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #12 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 258 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $75,040. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $17,455 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

13

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 285 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $84,226. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

14

San Diego State University landed the #14 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 210 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $69,754. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $19,994 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at San Diego State University

15

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 125 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $81,108. Typical student debt for the program is $15,908. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of California Santa Barbara

16

California Maritime Academy earned the #16 position for mechanical engineering this year. This small public university is located in the city of Vallejo. California Maritime Academy graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Maritime Academy in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from California Maritime Academy earn around $92,315 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,690. See the full mechanical engineering program report for California Maritime Academy

17

California State University Northridge earned the #17 position for mechanical engineering this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 210 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $71,359 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for California State University Northridge

18

California State University Long Beach earned the #18 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 269 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $69,823. Students borrow a median of $17,653 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California State University Long Beach

19

California State University Fullerton placed #19 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 159 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $81,909 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,040 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California State University Fullerton

20

George Fox University placed #20 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Newberg. George Fox University graduates 72% of students within six years. George Fox University awarded about 24 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $52,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,324. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at George Fox University

21

Tacoma Community College landed the #21 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Tacoma Community College awarded about 16 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tacoma Community College earn a median of $41,732 early in their careers. Tacoma Community College graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Tacoma Community College

22

California State University Sacramento earned the #22 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 153 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $75,511 in their early career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for California State University Sacramento

23

Washington State University earned the #23 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 259 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $72,690. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Washington State University

24

San Francisco State University landed the #24 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 71 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from San Francisco State University earn around $72,647 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,047. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from San Francisco State University

25

California State University Fresno placed #25 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. About 42 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $65,938 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $17,533 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from California State University Fresno

Rest of the Top 50 Mechanical Engineering Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
Walla Walla University crest
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA
31
32
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
41
42
43
Olympic College crest
Olympic College
Bremerton, WA
44
45
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA
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 · 68 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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