Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Mechanical engineers develop machines and mechanical systems to solve real-world problems. Read on to discover the best colleges for mechanical engineering in the country, by value for money. These top mechanical engineering schools provide the optimal combination of affordability and high earning potential.
Is mechanical engineering a good major?
Mechanical engineering is a great major in terms of economic value. People with a mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree earn 61% more than the average bachelor’s holder just 4 years after leaving school.
This puts mechanical engineering in the top 20% of all majors by value for money, as captured by our economic score metric, which shows the return on investment (ROI) value of college degrees.
Were you born with a deep desire to take things apart to figure out how they work? Are you still secretly (or openly) obsessed with Legos? If this sounds like you (and you don’t mind sitting behind a computer), mechanical engineering might be the perfect major.
A 2024 study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York determined that mechanical engineering majors have an underemployment rate of just 20.3%.
Underemployment is when you have a job, just not one you need your degree for.
Use our college major comparison tool below to compare industrial engineering with other majors – like industrial engineering, economics, or computer engineering.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
$25,135
PAYBACK
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
2.1
ECONOMIC SCORE
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
We ranked all the accredited mechanical engineering bachelor’s programs in the U.S. that are registered with the National Center for Education Statistics’ IPEDS (under CIP code 14.19).
We evaluated 295 bachelor’s programs and ranked them by value for money, as reflected by our economic score metric. The lower the economic score, the better.
Mechanical engineering programs with a low economic score provide the optimal combination of affordability and high earnings after graduation.
Note that our cost figures relate to net cost, which is the average amount students pay after financial aid. It includes room, board, and other expenses.
All data on net cost and post-graduation economic outcomes is sourced from IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$3,434
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$84,427
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate63%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
CUNY City College is a public university in Manhattan, New York City. It is part of the City University of New York system, which is well known for the high quality and affordability of its degrees.
The B.E. in Mechanical Engineering at City College provides unparalleled value, training highly qualified engineers at a very affordable price. Students learn all about micromechanical systems, energy conversion, environmental control, automation, manufacturing, and much more. City College also offers a popular 4+1 master's program for students who want to dive right into grad school.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,441
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$90,393
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate57%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,851
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$115,915
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate97%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Stanford University is a highly selective, prestigious private university in California’s Bay Area and Silicon Valley. It is often equated with the Ivy Leagues due to its global reputation, cutting-edge research, and stellar academic standards.
The curriculum of its world-famous mechanical engineering program encompasses energy science, propulsion, sensing and control, nano- and micro-mechanics, computational simulation, and much more. Students are encouraged to participate in staff-supervised research. Students who want to look beyond mechanical engineering can choose a B.S. in Product Design or a B.S. in Biomechanical Engineering in the same department.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$6,275
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$83,832
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate89%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The University of Florida (UF) is a public research university in Gainesville, a fun college town in the north-central part of the state.
UF’s mechanical engineering program is one of the best in the country by value for money. Mechanical engineering majors learn all about motion and the processes through which other types of energy are converted into motion. Required classes include thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, dynamics, statics, and others.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$6,450
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$80,969
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate84%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Florida State University (FSU or Florida State) is a large public university in Tallahassee, the state capital. It is one of Florida’s oldest universities.
FSU’s B.S. in Mechanical Engineering program is perfect for students who want to invent and innovate with machines and mechanical processes. The curriculum focuses on thermal sciences, mechanics, dynamic systems, and design. A large emphasis is also placed on communication skills and familiarity with the software used on the job.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,495
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$91,131
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate56%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a public research university in Las Cruces, a college town not far from El Paso, surrounded by stunning scenery on the edge of the Chihuahua Desert.
NMSU’s Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Enginering prepares students for careers in research and development, design, management, production, and a wide range of other areas. The curriculum emphasizes solid mechanics, thermal sciences, fluid mechanics, materials science, math, design, engineering analysis, and communication.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,601
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$88,618
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate51%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) is a public university in Odessa, a small city in the sweeping, arid landscape of West Texas. The area is home to a major oil field, ensuring jobs for engineering students who want to stay in the area.
It is home to a mechanical engineering bachelor’s program that is one of the best in Texas. Students learn to design, model, and analyze exciting new technologies; graduates go on to work in many different technologies, including robotics, aeronautics, energy generation, material design, and many more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,385
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$78,721
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate71%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University, Los Angeles, a public university in Los Angeles, is an affordable institution widely recognized for its equitable policies that help low-income students earn high-quality degrees.
The university is also home to an outstanding mechanical engineering program. Its Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering teaches students the basics of science, engineering, design, and analysis. They can choose from several areas of specialization, including applied mechanics, thermal systems engineering, aeronautical engineering, and biomechanical engineering.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,722
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$83,193
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate75%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university in University Park, Florida, on the state’s sunny Atlantic coast. It is one of the largest universities in the country and home to an outstanding mechanical engineering program.
Students pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at FIU learn all about fluid/thermal science; mechanics, materials, and design; and robotics and manufacturing. Graduates go on to work in the energy industry, robotics, manufacturing, and more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,293
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$87,847
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is a large public university in Los Angeles, California.
It offers an affordable B.S. in Mechanical Engineering program that emphasizes hands-on experience, with design projects being an integral part of the curriculum. Typical courses include electrical engineering, mechanics, engineering materials, machine design, fluid mechanics, mechatronics, and many more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$6,744
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$81,554
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate71%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University, Fresno, usually referred to as Fresno State, is an affordable, yet highly respected, public university in the Golden State’s Central Valley.
It is home to a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a curriculum that includes plenty of opportunities for experiential learning and professional practice. Many students complete internships, and seniors participate in a capstone design project.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$7,485
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$83,094
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate81%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a public research university in Orange Country, conveniently located by downtown Los Angeles and Disneyland.
CSUF has a popular B.S. in Mechanical Engineering that prepares students for both private-sector and government jobs in manufacturing, transportation, energy, food processing, and biomedical science. Typical classes include dynamics, statics, electric circuits, solid and fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and many more. Students also complete design projects. Labs are an important part of the curriculum.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$9,203
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$81,750
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate77%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The University of South Florida (USF) is a large public university based in the Tampa area, on the shores of Tampa Bay and its beautiful white-sand beaches.
USF’s Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering students learn all about thermodynamics, heat transfer, instrumentation, computer-aided design, manufacturing, and vibrations. Labs are an important part of the curriculum. Graduates go on to work in industries such as aeronautics, paper and textile production, food processing, petrochemicals, and many more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,721
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$85,474
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate83%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University, Long Beach, usually referred to as Long Beach State University, is a public research university in Long Beach, California, just south of Los Angeles. It is an officially designed Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
Students of Long Beach State’s B.S. in Mechanical Engineering program learn to create innovative solutions to real-world problems, translate ideas into working engineering systems, and work effectively in a team. Courses include fluid mechanics, power plant design, heat transfer systems design, and many more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,852
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$79,536
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The University of North Florida (UNF) is a public research university in Jacksonville, a buzzing metropolis on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. The UNF campus is nestled amidst a large natural preserve.
The UNF B.S. in Mechanical Engineering program focuses on the principles of transforming energy and designing machines that move. Core requirements include modern computation methods, dynamics, the strength of materials, and thermodynamics. Seniors complete a capstone project.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,636
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$78,738
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate67%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$9,949
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$82,542
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate78%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university in Orange County, Florida, in the Orlando area. Its campus features a picturesque lake and many acres of woodland.
Students pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at UCF obtain an in-depth understanding of mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, materials science, and electricity. Professionally, students go on to design various machines like industrial equipment, cars, aircraft, robots, medical equipment, and much more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,637
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$97,701
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate93%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
University of California, Los Angeles, or UCLA, is one of the most prestigious and selective public universities in the country. Often termed a Public Ivy, it has a global reputation for cutting-edge research and academic excellence.
The B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at UCLA imparts a basic knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, solid mechanics, mechanical systems, manufacturing, and much, much more. As a capstone project, students design and build a mechanical or electromechanical device.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$7,007
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$74,167
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate55%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a public research university with several campuses in southern Texas. It is an officially designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
It is home to one of the top mechanical engineering programs in the country. Its B.S. in Mechanical Engineering features many opportunities to participate in internships, professional organizations, supervised research, and co-op experiences. Classes include statics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, engineering materials, mechanics of solids, and more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,721
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$91,140
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate82%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Mechanical and electrical engineers both use math and science to design things that make our lives better, like machines, gadgets, and systems.
Where they differ is the types of systems and machines they work with: a mechanical engineer focuses on things like car engines, robots, or manufacturing equipment, while an electrical engineer is more likely to design smart phone components or new home appliances.
Electrical engineers are paid a little more, but according to the BLS, mechanical engineering jobs are growing faster.
See an early-career salary comparison of different branches of engineering below.
Electrical engineering - $90,590
Computer engineering - $90,189
Chemical engineering - $86,902
Industrial engineering - $86,315
Mechanical engineering - $82,261
Biomedical engineering - $80,681
Materials engineering - $77,514
Civil engineering - $76,683
Environmental engineering - $65,898
Source: IPEDS data
Mechanical engineering salary info
People with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering earn an average salary of $82,261, 4 years after leaving school, according to IPEDS data.
Meanwhile, getting a master’s in mechanical engineering unlocks an average salary bump of 17% 4 years on, which is a higher earnings premium than many other engineering fields.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks median earnings at all career levels, mechanical engineers earn $99,510 on average.
Click on a degree card to reveal more information.
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