America's 10 Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in 2023

Laura Ross July 28, 2023

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Mechanical engineering is widely considered to be one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Professionals in this industry apply the principles of problem-solving and the theories of engineering to design, develop, build, and test products that possess the ability to move. It is their responsibility to ensure products and systems function safely, efficiently, and reliably.

If you are fascinated by how things work, interested in designing the next generation of products, devices, and systems, and passionate about helping people, you may be interested in pursuing a career in mechanical engineering.

Most mechanical engineering schools will require students to study foundational theories, including thermodynamics, fluid and solid mechanics, mechanisms, materials, and energy conversion and transfer. However, it’s important to select a school that caters to your unique interests and career goals.

After providing a run-down of the United States’ best programs — which include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Georgia Institute of Technology — we’ll look at the criteria for evaluating mechanical engineering degrees as well as career opportunities.

Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock.com

Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock.com

Top 10 Mechanical Engineering Programs

Here’s a rundown of the 10 best mechanical engineering colleges in the United States.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1510-1570 SAT / 34-36 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 4%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2022-2023): $59,750

Graduation Rate: 96%

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Mechanical Engineering course seeks to empower the next generation of creative thinkers to model, design, innovate, and address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The MIT School of Engineering was ranked number one by the U.S. News & World Report in 2023, and the faculty is responsible for some of the biggest breakthroughs of the 20th and 21st centuries, including the first artificial skin and the robotic cheetah. The school’s research areas include mechanics, design and manufacturing, bioengineering, and ocean science.

As an undergraduate student here, you can choose from one of three related courses. You’ll gain a broad-based education in the engineering sciences while honing your quantitative, problem-solving, design, and communications skills.

2. Georgia Institute of Technology

Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1370-1530 SAT / 31-35 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 17%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2022-2023): $31,370

Graduation Rate: 89%

The Mechanical Engineering department at Georgia Tech’s Woodruff School is one of the largest and most highly regarded in the country. Its undergraduate program was ranked number two by the U.S. News & World Report in 2023, and it welcomed 1,819 students for the 2022 fall semester.

Undergraduate students can apply for one of two courses, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or Bachelor of Science in Nuclear & Radiological Engineering. Choose the former, and you’ll study subjects including automotive engineering, design, mechanics of materials, micro- and nano-engineering, and thermal, fluid, and energy systems, while the latter focuses on the production and application of nuclear energy.

You’ll learn how to solve complex engineering problems, analyze and interpret data, work as part of a research team, and recognize your ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations.

3. Stanford University

Application Fee: $90 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1550 SAT / 35 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 4%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2022-2023): $58,416

Graduation Rate: 96%

The Mechanical Engineering degree program at Stanford University offers a combination of hands-on learning, faculty-led and independent research opportunities, and academic theory. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge they need to uncover important societal benefits in the areas of computational engineering, sustainability, mobility, and human health.

You’ll study subjects including propulsion, sensing and control, nano- and micro-mechanics, solid and fluid dynamics, and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).

The course at Stanford — and the university itself — is highly regarded. Indeed, a recent survey found that 100% of undergraduate students were able to secure a full-time job within one year of graduating.

4. University of Michigan — Ann Arbor

Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1360-1530 SAT / 31-35 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 20%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2022-2023): $57,273

Graduation Rate: 94%

Undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Michigan will enjoy a range of benefits; the programs are consistently ranked among the top five in the country, the average graduate salary is $70,000, and Michigan has been ranked among the best places to live in the United States.

Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders, gain hands-on experience, and compete as part of Michigan’s student design teams. Students study subjects including mechatronics and robotics, thermal sciences, mechanics and materials, and dynamics and vibrations.

Further, the university’s Research, Innovation, Service, and Entrepreneurship (RISE) program enables undergraduate students to work on real-world projects. The Mechanical Engineering Undergrad Symposium provides the opportunity for the most exceptional undergraduate students to showcase their RISE projects.

Aiman Khair / Shutterstock.com

5. University of California, Berkeley

Application Fee: $70 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1530 SAT / 34 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 17%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2022-2023): $44,467

Graduation Rate: 92%

The mechanical engineering program at the University of California, Berkeley, is consistently ranked among the top five in the country.

Home to more than 50 centers and institutes, the school strives to prepare its students for advancement in four key sectors: industry, national laboratories, state and federal agencies, and academia.

As a student here, you’ll gain access to state-of-the-art facilities, work closely with industry leaders, and study subjects including biomechanical engineering, ocean engineering, robotics, and design.

6. Purdue University — West Lafayette

Application Fee: $60 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1440 SAT / 32 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 59%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2022-2023): $28,794

Graduation Rate: 84%

Purdue University’s School of Mechanical Engineering boasts 1,600 undergraduate students, 800 graduate students, and 90 faculty members. Its world-class facilities include the Bechtel Innovation Design Center — where students can design prototypes — and one of the world’s largest academic cleanrooms, the Birck Nanotechnology Center, which is enabling pioneering advancements in nanotechnology.

Around 97% of undergraduate students partake in experiential learning — such as internships, co-ops, and research — while 34% choose to study abroad for a portion of the degree program.

The school's key research areas include dynamics and vibration, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and thermodynamics.

7. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Application Fee: $70 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1330-1530 SAT / 29-34 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 60%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2022-2023): $33,686

Graduation Rate: 85%

The University of Illinois’ Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering is home to an internationally renowned and award-winning faculty, several world-class laboratories, and exceptional resources. The faculty’s research efforts are centered around six key areas: energy, environment, health and bio, manufacturing, security and defense, and transportation.

As a student here, you will study subjects including fluid and solid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer, dynamics and controls, biomechanical sciences, and computational science.

The ABET-accredited undergraduate program — which is ranked among the best in the United States — will prepare you to advance in your chosen field, pursue further education, and actively contribute to professional societies.

8. California Institute of Technology

Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1570 SAT / 36 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 4%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2023-2024): $60,816

Graduation Rate: 93%

The Mechanical Engineering School at the California Institute of Technology seeks to nurture the industry’s future leaders while conducting research that addresses today’s technological roadblocks.

As an undergraduate student here, you will work closely alongside faculty members, conducting research in subject areas including photoactive materials, high-density epidural spinal stimulation, hypervelocity impact, biomolecular feedback circuits for modular, robust, and rapid response, and computational geomechanics.

Graduates often advance to further education and, ultimately, leadership roles in academia, industry, and government.

9. Carnegie Mellon University

Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1560 SAT / 35 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 15%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2023-2024): $62,260

Graduation Rate: 79%

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University is committed to developing emerging technologies and tools to solve some of the world's greatest challenges. In recent years, the school has made several breakthrough discoveries in the areas of neuroscience and nano-engineering, and it has integrated AI and data science tools into the majority of its research projects.

Carnegie Mellon undergraduate students enjoy a hands-on learning environment as well as gain access to the top-class facilities at the department’s newly opened Scaife Hall, which includes advanced laboratories and modern classrooms.

The program — which is ABET-accredited — produces graduates who perform well in multidisciplinary team settings, are innovative and resourceful in their professional activities, and can excel in their chosen career paths.

10. University of Texas — Austin

Application Fee: $75 (non-refundable)

Entry Requirements: 1230-1500 SAT / 29-34 ACT

Acceptance Rate: 29%

Undergraduate Tuition Fees (2022-2023): $41,070

Graduation Rate: 79%

The University of Texas’s School of Engineering hopes to be “an influential catalyst in the development of future solutions that advance society, drive economic progress, and improve the quality of life around the world.”

Consistently ranked among the top ten engineering programs in the United States. and across the world, students here benefit from exciting research opportunities and excellent long-term job prospects. Indeed, 90% of undergraduate students secure internships or conduct research during their degree program, and more than 90% of bachelor’s degree graduates receive job offers or attend grad school at the end of their studies.

Students at the University of Texas at Austin study thermal and fluid systems, mechanical systems and design, materials, and manufacturing systems to gain a broad understanding of mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, and energy.

Criteria for Evaluating the Best Mechanical Engineering Schools

Some factors to consider when choosing a mechanical engineering program include:

Program Accreditation — Some programs will be accredited by official bodies. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), for example, verifies that an institution or course has met a set of standards that assure educational quality. Many of the schools featured in our “top 10” list are ABET-accredited.
Curriculum — There will be some consistency in curriculums across different institutions since all undergraduate students must first learn the fundamentals of mechanical engineering. However, many schools will have expertise in certain fields, pursue niche research projects, and provide students with the opportunity to select more specialized classes. Consider what subjects excite you and then find a course that best accommodates these interests.
Research Facilities — Hands-on learning is a vital component of any good mechanical engineering degree. Schools that boast large-scale, state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities will provide additional opportunities for students to pursue research, gain real-world experience, experiment with cutting-edge mechanical engineering technology, and work alongside industry leaders. Most universities provide details about their facilities and current research projects via their websites.
Scholarship and Internship Opportunities — Several schools have provisions in place to support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This includes scholarships and bursaries and paid internships. In some cases, students can enroll in a paid internship that counts as course credit. If high tuition fees are a top concern, it’s also worth checking out your local schools first — some offer a hugely discounted rate for in-state applications.

Careful consideration of these factors will ensure you attend a reputable institution and earn a bachelor’s degree that will set you up for long-term career success.

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Career Opportunities in Mechanical Engineering

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of mechanical engineers is expected to grow by 2% between 2021 and 2031, which equates to around 17,900 job openings each year. The median pay for a mechanical engineer is around $95,300 per year — excluding bonuses and commission — and most professionals benefit from a stable career path.

Thanks to their multidisciplinary skill set, mechanical engineering graduates work in almost every industry including automotive, aerospace, energy, consumer products, instrumentation, manufacturing, healthcare, materials processing, and robotics.

In the industrial sector, for example, mechanical engineers design and build the machinery used to make products as well as invent new manufacturing processes.

Aerospace engineers assist in the manufacture of helicopters, airplanes, rockets, and satellites. The U.S. government hires mechanical engineers for projects with NASA, military operations, and infrastructure projects.

Some mechanical engineers specialize in everyday home products and appliances, while others are focused on nanotech, which describes the development of systems, medicines, or devices at an extremely small scale.

Those working in research and development, robotics and automation, and renewable energy are among the best paid.

A significant portion of mechanical engineering majors go on to complete a graduate degree; approximately 11% of mechanical engineers hold a master’s degree. From there, they may choose to earn a Ph.D. and join a university’s research faculty, where they can continue their independent research. Other bachelor’s degree graduates choose to pursue alternative engineering fields, medical degrees, careers in finance, or their own business ventures.

Whatever your future holds, a degree in mechanical engineering is sure to set you up for long-term career success. You’ll acquire a wealth of transferable skills, study alongside inspiring industry professionals, and work on projects with the potential to change the world.