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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Virginia

7 Colleges in the United States
879 Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$69,631 Avg Early-Career Salary

Mechanical Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 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 Virginia

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

Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering

1

Leading the list is Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, our #1 school for mechanical engineering. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

2

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 69 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent 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. Get the full mechanical engineering details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

3

A rank of #3 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for mechanical engineering. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 87 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $73,570 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full mechanical engineering details for George Mason University

4

Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mechanical engineering, ranking #4. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 82 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $73,355 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,235. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Virginia Commonwealth University

5

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Old Dominion University, which ranked #5. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 104 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $71,774. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Old Dominion University

6
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #6 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 58 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $65,794 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Liberty University

7

Virginia Military Institute came in at #7 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Military Institute awarded about 33 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $47,837. Typical student debt for the program is $19,971. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Virginia Military Institute

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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