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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in North Carolina

4 Colleges in the United States
841 Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$78,417 Avg Early-Career Salary

Mechanical Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for mechanical engineering students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in North Carolina

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

Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 111 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $89,938. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Duke University

2

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 397 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $82,274 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

3

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 244 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $69,178 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

4

A rank of #4 makes North Carolina A And T State University one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. This large public university is located in the city of Greensboro. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. North Carolina A And T State University awarded about 89 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from North Carolina A And T State University earn around $72,278 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina A And T State University graduates carry a median of $29,822 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina A And T State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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