Mechanical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 451 schools to find the best for mechanical engineering students.
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 148 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $121,408. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Stanford University
Johns Hopkins University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 156 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $114,588 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,750.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 131 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $155,889 early in their careers. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $11,334 in student loans.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 82 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $106,735. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 106 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 $108,892. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of California Los Angeles
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 36 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 84 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $99,576. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of California Berkeley came in at #8 for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 200 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $97,864. Typical student debt for the program is $13,200.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of California Berkeley
Cornell University came in at #9 for mechanical engineering this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Cornell University awarded about 94 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Cornell University earn around $99,587 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Cornell University
University Of California San Diego placed #10 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 83 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $112,996 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of California San Diego
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #11 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 144 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $104,503 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 218 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $105,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,937.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 90 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $105,575 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Yale University earned the #14 position for mechanical engineering this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 31 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Yale University
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #15 position for mechanical engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $88,820 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Duke University came in at #16 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 21 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $89,938 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Duke University
Tufts University came in at #17 for mechanical engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. Tufts University awarded about 20 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $78,441. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for Tufts University
Santa Clara University landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $124,058 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Santa Clara University
Princeton University came in at #19 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 39 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $85,328 in their early career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for Princeton University
University Of California Irvine earned the #20 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 62 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,633. Typical student debt for the program is $14,500.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of California Irvine
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #21 among the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 126 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $101,504 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #22 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 141 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $93,716 early in their careers. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 71 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $94,109 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,455 to complete this degree.
Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Pennsylvania
California Institute Of Technology ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent 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
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #25 for mechanical engineering this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $76,485 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Maryland College Park
Rest of the Top 50 Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also placed among the best for mechanical engineering this year:
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 · 451 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
