2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2026 ranking of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 398 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $92,881 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 341 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $81,716. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 819 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $101,895 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,937. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University Main Campus

4

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 142 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $79,616. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $15,334 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University

5

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 346 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $88,747 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Ohio State University Main Campus

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 466 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $92,369 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

7

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 145 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $84,999 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Notre Dame

8

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #8 position for mechanical engineering this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 312 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $80,259 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Michigan State University

9

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University came in at #9 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 85 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $76,736. Students borrow a median of $24,855 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Case Western Reserve University

10

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo came in at #10 for mechanical engineering this year. This large public university is located in the city of Toledo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Toledo awarded about 144 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $77,011 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Toledo

11

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton came in at #11 for mechanical engineering this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. University Of Dayton awarded about 226 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Dayton earn around $71,911 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Dayton

12

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
Terre Haute, IN

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology earned the #12 position for mechanical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Terre Haute. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 114 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology earn a median of $78,732 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,612 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology

13

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #13 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 272 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $83,881 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,998. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

14

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Dearborn awarded about 150 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $87,958 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,950. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Michigan Dearborn

15

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 20 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $46,247. North Central College graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from North Central College

16

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 142 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Oakland University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $91,832. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Oakland University

17

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Detroit Mercy earn around $78,552 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Detroit Mercy

18

Kettering University
Flint, MI

Kettering University came in at #18 for mechanical engineering this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Flint. Kettering University graduates 71% of students within six years. About 162 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Kettering University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Kettering University earn around $79,307 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Kettering University

19

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 218 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $69,871 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

20

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University landed the #20 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 64 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $77,321. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Technological University

21

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #21 for mechanical engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan Technological University awarded about 299 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $80,888 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Michigan Technological University

22

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University placed #22 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 98 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $85,140. Typical student debt for the program is $24,140. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University

23

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #23 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 162 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn around $71,612 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Wisconsin Platteville

24

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 62 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Bradley University earn around $71,746 in the first couple years of their career. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Bradley University

25

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 175 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $80,192 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,450. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis