2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 111 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Duke University earn a median of $89,938 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Duke University

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 782 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $88,431. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

3

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 58 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $78,009 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Vanderbilt University

4

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #4. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 418 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Florida earn around $84,811 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,131. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Florida

5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 446 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $80,722 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

6

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #6 for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 161 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $75,311. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

7

Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Mississippi State. Mississippi State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 223 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Mississippi State University earn around $75,161 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Mississippi State University

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #8 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 397 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $82,274. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

9

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #9 for mechanical engineering this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 187 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $73,872 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,814 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Georgia

10

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #10 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 69 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $74,366 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

11

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #11 position for mechanical engineering this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 230 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $84,434. Students borrow a median of $24,514 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Auburn University

12

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Clemson University awarded about 303 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $76,932 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,125. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Clemson University

13

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 274 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $75,238 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from The University Of Alabama

14

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida International University awarded about 190 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $71,335 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,750. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Florida International University

15

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 428 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $75,664. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $22,025 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Central Florida

16

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee placed #16 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 182 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $65,756. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from The University Of Tennessee

17

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #17 for mechanical engineering this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 87 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from George Mason University earn around $73,570 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for George Mason University

18

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami earned the #18 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $66,843 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Miami

19

University Of Alabama At Huntsville
Huntsville, AL

University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #19 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 127 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Huntsville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $73,984 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,897 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Alabama At Huntsville

20

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #20 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 142 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $75,519 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,085. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Florida State University

21

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #21 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 206 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $70,046 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of South Florida Main Campus

22

University Of Louisville
Louisville, KY

University Of Louisville placed #22 among the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of Louisville awarded about 131 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $79,501. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Louisville

23

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky came in at #23 for mechanical engineering this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 164 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $68,448 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Kentucky

24

John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University earned the #24 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at John Brown University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $50,420 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,216 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for John Brown University

25

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. West Virginia University awarded about 168 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from West Virginia University earn around $71,504 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,242. See the full mechanical engineering program report for West Virginia University