Best Mechanical Engineering Schools

Obtaining an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering is an exciting and important first step in many different types of careers.

Mechanical engineering is a popular major in the United States, and there are many schools where you can choose to study. You can get a mechanical engineering degree at top undergraduate mechanical engineering schools nationwide, and choosing the right school can seem impossible.

There are many factors to consider aside from school rankings when choosing a mechanical engineering school, but it is important to be informed about the most prestigious mechanical engineering schools. This article has compiled a list of the nation's best undergraduate mechanical engineering schools.

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10 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the US

Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA

Tuition: $217,410

Acceptance rate: 21%

Georgia Institute of Technology is a top-ranked public school with an excellent mechanical engineering program. Georgia Tech is home to the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering is consistently a highly-ranked undergraduate program.

Check out these scholarships for students in Georgia!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA

Tuition: $19.998

Acceptance rate: 7%

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been ranked the top college in the United States. Mechanical engineering is one of its most popular majors and among the country's best mechanical engineering schools.

Browse these Massachusetts scholarships to save on college costs!

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA

Tuition: $26,591

Acceptance rate: 7%

California Institute of Technology is a highly ranked school. Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering university. Their mechanical engineering department is very highly ranked.

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University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

Tuition: $17,832

Acceptance rate: 26%

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the top public universities in the country. Their mechanical engineering program is highly ranked in its own right.

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Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Tuition: $20,023

Acceptance rate: 5%

Stanford University is one of the top-ranked schools in the country, and is well known for its highly competitive admission system. Engineering is among the most popular majors at the college and one of the country's best mechanical engineering schools.

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Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN

Tuition: $12,294

Acceptance rate: 67%

Purdue University is a highly-ranked public university and is the best public university in Indiana. Mechanical engineering majors will experience one of the largest mechanical engineering programs in the country.

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Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Tuition: $27,522

Acceptance rate: 11%

Cornell University has an excellent reputation and is a private institution and an Ivy League school. Their Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering emphasizes research and has world-class facilities.

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University of California Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

Tuition: $19,329

Acceptance rate: 17%

UC Berkeley is a highly-ranked public university with a stellar reputation. Their mechanical engineering school emphasizes research and is a top-ranked mechanical engineering degree program.

California can also be a great expense. Bold.org has many scholarships for California students!

Columbia University

New York, NY

Tuition: $22,126

Acceptance rate: 7%

Columbia University is a top-ranked university and is one of the Ivy Leagues. Mechanical engineering majors at the school will have opportunities to experience diverse research activities.

You can receive scholarships at Bold.org for Ivy League schools!

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX

Tuition: $16,892

Acceptance rate: 32%

The University of Texas at Austin is a highly-ranked public university and is the number one public school in Texas. The Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering in their Cockrell School of Engineering is well-ranked for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Texas scholarships help alleviate the costs of college tuition!

Additional Noteworthy Mechanical Engineering Schools

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Tuition: $36,983

Acceptance rate: 17%

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Tuition: $25,241

Acceptance rate: 11%

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Tuition: $28,344

Acceptance rate: 9%

Washington University in St. Louis

Saint Louis, MO

Tuition: $27,233

Acceptance rate: 16%

Duke University

Durham, NC

Tuition: $26,932

Acceptance rate: 8%

Mechanical Engineering Scholarships on Bold.org

Bold.org has many engineering scholarships available for mechanical engineering students to apply to. Below are some examples of the hundreds of opportunities at Bold.org.

Jacques Borges Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $4,964

For: Haitian students studying civil engineering

Deadline: June 28, 2023

This scholarship will support one student of Haitian descent who is pursuing a civil engineering degree and who has large ambitions for the future of their community.

Anastasiya Y. Hardie Women in Engineering Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $500

For: High school seniors, undergraduate, or graduate students majoring in engineering who are female and immigrants

Deadline: July 17, 2023

This scholarship seeks to support female immigrants pursuing higher education in male-dominated fields.

Iftikhar Kamil Madni Science and Engineering Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

For: Undergraduate or graduate students majoring in engineering or science who have a GPA of 3.75 or higher

Deadline: July 2, 2023

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Iftikhar Kamil Madni by supporting students pursuing higher education in engineering and science.

Anthony McPherson Memorial Automotive Scholarship

Amount: $1,800

For: High school or undergraduate students majoring in automotive, media arts, technology, or a related field

Deadline: November 5, 2023

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Anthony McPherson by raising awareness about drunk driving and supporting students pursuing careers in media arts, technology, or the automotive industry.

Chadwick D. McNab Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $1,000

For: Undergraduate students majoring in computer science, technology, or a related field

Deadline: October 14, 2023

This scholarship honors the life of Chadwick D McNab by supporting students looking to reach their full potential in a technology career.

Choosing a Great Mechanical Engineering School

With so many engineering programs nationwide, narrowing down your options can be very difficult. Here are some ways to choose which mechanical engineering program you should attend.

Specialization Interests

Prioritize programs that offer opportunities and specializations that align with your personal and professional interests.

Accreditation

Make sure you only consider programs with the proper accreditation. This will be the ABET accreditation for engineering students interested in a properly accredited school.

Curriculum

Check the curriculum of a mechanical engineering program before you apply, as your coursework might vary widely depending on what school you attend.

Reputation

While you may not attend one of the top schools to earn a mechanical engineering degree, many schools still have good reputations. This good reputation can help you find internships, and first jobs, and apply to graduate programs.

Types of Mechanical Engineering

The disciplines within mechanical engineering include but are not limited to:

• Aerospace engineering
• Automotive industry
• Biotechnology
• Composites
• Computer Aided Design
• Control Systems
• Cyber Security
• Energy
• Ergonomics
• Manufacturing and additive manufacturing
• Mechanics
• Nanotechnology
• Robotics
• Structural analysis

Chemical engineering is also a popular field—if mechanical engineering turns out to not quite be what you want, check out the top chemical engineering schools instead!

Most Popular Related Majors to Mechanical Engineering

If you aren't sure that mechanical engineering is the right career path for you but you are still interested in engineering, there are other disciplines you can study. Some of the most popular related courses of study include:

Materials Science Engineering

A Materials Science Engineering major will study mathematics and materials science to design and evaluate materials and do related processes in manufacturing.

Metallurgical Engineering

Being a Metallurgic Engineering major will prepare you to design, develop, and evaluate metal used in structural and moving systems. You will also learn to analyze engineering problems and how to resolve them.

Mining and Mineral Engineering

Majoring in mining and mineral engineering will prepare you to apply engineering principles to systems used in mining, such as mineral extraction, processing systems, and mine equipment.

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering students will experience degree programs that focus on applying engineering to all manner of vessels used on or under the water. This includes equipment used inland and on the ocean, focusing on corrosion, stress factors, and environmental hazards.

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Engineering students will study coursework that prepares them for a career working in Nuclear Energy. They will learn about nuclear power plant design, containment vessels, and fission and fusion processes.

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering students will learn a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and healthcare, allowing them to make meaningful contributions to improving human health and quality of life.

Bold.org

Hundreds of scholarships are available on Bold.org to help aid students like you. There are scholarships available for many different majors, including need-based and merit-based scholarships, among many other categories. You can also read the Bold.org Scholarship Blog for more blogs like this one.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mechanical Engineering Schools

How long does it take to be a mechanical engineer?

The minimum education level for a mechanical engineer is usually a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Most students majoring in mechanical engineering complete their mechanical engineering degree in four or five years.

You may need to get entry-level work experience before you can become a fully-fledged mechanical engineer. You will also need to get your engineering license; requirements for obtaining this license may vary depending on which state you live in.

Is it worth getting degrees in mechanical engineering?

Yes. Obtaining degrees in mechanical engineering opens doors to careers in many high-paying fields.

Is getting a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering worth it?

Get your doctorate. It's worth it. Having a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering will give you more opportunities to advance your career. You will also experience higher pay.

What are the three main areas of study in mechanical engineering?

The three biggest areas of study for mechanical engineering majors are manufacturing, mechanical design, and system dynamics and control.

What are the best mechanical engineering schools?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Georgia Institute of Technology are two of the country's best schools to obtain degrees in mechanical engineering.

How much are mechanical engineers paid?

Mechanical engineers make a median salary of $95,300. Better paid mechanical engineers make up to $120,180, and lower-paid mechanical engineers make approximately $76,050.

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