2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

No school ranked higher than Pennsylvania State University Main Campus this year for mechanical engineering. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 450 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 223 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data 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. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Johns Hopkins University

3

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 272 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $92,514. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Cornell University

4

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 242 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 $88,270 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

5

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #5. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 345 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $76,485 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Maryland College Park

6

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 293 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $85,070 in the first couple years of their career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $22,777 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Carnegie Mellon University

7

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 155 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,493 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,455. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Pennsylvania

8

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 94 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $85,328 early in their careers. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Princeton University

9

Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University earned the #9 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bucknell University awarded about 42 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $79,391 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Bucknell University

10

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University came in at #10 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Villanova University awarded about 100 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Villanova University earn around $89,620 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,995. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Villanova University

11

Stevens Institute Of Technology
Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Stevens Institute Of Technology graduates 87% of students within six years. About 264 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Stevens Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Stevens Institute Of Technology earn around $83,493 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,520 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute Of Technology

12

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #12 for mechanical engineering this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 206 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $77,917 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

13

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #13 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $82,361 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at George Washington University

14

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned the #14 position for mechanical engineering this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Troy. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 194 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $79,778 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

15

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 174 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $85,170 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

16

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lehigh University awarded about 126 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Lehigh University earn around $87,015 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,950. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Lehigh University

17

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College
Erie, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College came in at #17 for mechanical engineering this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College in the most recent data year. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College

18

New York University
New York, NY

New York University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 139 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $64,687 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,140. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from New York University

19

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 189 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $74,313. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Delaware

20

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
Middletown, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #20 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public university. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg graduates 26% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg awarded about 62 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg

21

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Suny At Binghamton graduates 82% of students within six years. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 161 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $74,159 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Suny At Binghamton

22

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #22 for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 138 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $75,743. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,008 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Stony Brook University

23

Suny Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY

Suny Maritime College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Suny Maritime College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $77,895 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Suny Maritime College

24

Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art
New York, NY

Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art came in at #24 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earn around $16,678 in the first couple years of their career. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art graduates carry a median of $16,805 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art

25

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester placed #25 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 68 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $73,828 in their early career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Rochester