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Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in Iowa
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering
Iowa State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 369 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $85,726 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Iowa State University
University Of Iowa 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 Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 137 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $71,732 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,109.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Iowa
Dordt College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 13 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Dordt College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Typical student debt for the program is $21,812.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Dordt College
Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Saint Ambrose University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Ambrose University awarded about 11 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $73,622 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,996.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Saint Ambrose University
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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