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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

17 Colleges in the United States
2,103 Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$68,397 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best mechanical engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in Pennsylvania

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall mechanical engineering education in Pennsylvania.

Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best mechanical engineering schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 450 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 293 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent 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. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Carnegie Mellon University

3
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 155 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $80,493 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $12,455 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Pennsylvania

4
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Bucknell University, which ranked #4. Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. 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. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Bucknell University

5
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Villanova University, which ranked #5. 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. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $89,620 early in their careers. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $25,995 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Villanova University

6

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 174 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $85,170 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

7
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 126 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $87,015 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,950. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University

8

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College placed #8 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 69 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College in the most recent year. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College

9

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg awarded about 62 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg

10
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College came in at #10 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 58 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Lafayette College in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $72,481 in their early career. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Lafayette College

11
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Drexel University awarded about 193 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $83,964. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Drexel University

12

Saint Vincent College earned the #12 position for mechanical engineering this year. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. Saint Vincent College graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Saint Vincent College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $54,916 in their early career. Saint Vincent College graduates carry a median of $26,986 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Saint Vincent College

13

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 14 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

14

York College Pennsylvania came in at #14 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. York College Pennsylvania awarded about 39 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $74,445 in their early career. York College Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full mechanical engineering details for York College Pennsylvania

15

Montgomery County Community College placed #15 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. There were roughly 18 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Montgomery County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. Students borrow a median of $15,219 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Montgomery County Community College

16

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks came in at #16 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public university. About 30% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks awarded about 20 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks

17
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College earned the #17 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Grove City, Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grove City College awarded about 44 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Grove City College

18
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #18 for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 76 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $66,161. Typical student debt for the program is $26,843. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Temple University

19

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #19 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 30 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $71,406. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown

20
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College placed #20 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Messiah College graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Messiah College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $48,957 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,195. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Messiah College

21

Thomas Jefferson University placed #21 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Thomas Jefferson University graduates 69% of students within six years. Thomas Jefferson University awarded about 11 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Typical student debt for the program is $32,256. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Thomas Jefferson University

22

Widener University Main Campus earned the #22 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 27 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Widener University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $65,515. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Widener University Main Campus

23

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot for mechanical engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Shippensburg. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 13 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $46,912 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,307 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

24
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University came in at #24 for mechanical engineering this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Wilkes University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $63,062. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Wilkes University

25

Gannon University placed #25 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Erie. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 29 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Gannon University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $65,796 early in their careers. Gannon University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Gannon University

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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 · 32 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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