Mechanical engineering is a broad field that covers courses in mechatronics and robotics, structural analysis, thermodynamics, and engineering design. In the United States, Mechanical engineering is available at all levels, from undergraduate, graduate to doctoral.
Graduates are found to pursue a wide range of careers as production engineers, design engineers, quality engineers, technical advisors, sales engineers, technical supervisors, etc.
Due to their versatility, Mechanical Engineers are one of the highest-paid professionals in the US. With a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, you can make an annual income ranging from $81,000 to $93,000.
Now, what is mechanical engineering related to? This field of study uses physics and materials science principles for analyzing and designing mechanical and thermal systems.
Furthermore, Mechanical Engineering concentrators have a solid foundation in fields vital to solving problems in energy, transportation, manufacturing, robotics, and public infrastructure development.
Global ranking of some of the top universities in the USA for Mechanical Engineering Courses
Based on “QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering,” here is a list of top universities in the United States offering the course.
The QS World University Ranking ranks universities based on six major factors: academic reputation; employer reputation; international student ratio; citations per faculty; faculty/student ratio; and international faculty ratio.
Rank |
University |
Location |
Score |
1 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Cambridge, US |
97.7 |
2 |
Stanford University |
Stanford, US |
94.6 |
6 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Berkeley, US |
90.3 |
12 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
Ann Arbor, US |
88.4 |
13 |
Harvard University |
Cambridge, US |
87.8 |
14 |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
Atlanta, US |
87.7 |
15 |
Purdue University |
West Lafayette, US |
87.5 |
17 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
Pasadena, US |
86.9 |
30 |
Texas A&M University |
College Station, US |
80.8 |
30 |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Champaign, US |
80.8 |
32 |
Pennsylvania State University |
University Park, US |
80.7 |
33 |
University of Texas at Austin |
Austin, US |
80.5 |
35 |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
Los Angeles, US |
80.2 |
41 |
Princeton University |
Princeton, US |
79.4 |
44 |
Northwestern University |
Evanston, US |
78.0 |
Master of Mechanical Engineering in USA
Programs for Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with tuition fees in the USA
A bachelor's degree in engineering typically takes four years in the United States. It is commonly available as a major for a Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science degree. Bachelor of mechanical engineering in the US, the annual tuition cost is between $31,000 and $58,000.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering |
$57,590 |
Bachelor of Science in Engineering |
||
Bachelor of Science in Engineering |
||
Stanford University |
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering |
$56,169 |
Bachelor of Biomechanical Engineering |
||
Harvard University |
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering |
$52,659 |
Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering(BA) |
||
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering |
$45,786 ($31,026 + $14,760) |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
Mechanical Engineering (ME) |
$59,746 ($29,873*2) |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
Mechanical Engineering (BS) |
$31,370 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering |
$58,479 |
Purdue University |
Mechanical Engineering (BS) |
$31,104 |
Mechanical Engineering Technology (BS) |
||
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Mechanical Engineering, BS |
$41,110 |
Pennsylvania State University |
Mechanical Engineering, BS |
$37,946 |
Mechanical Engineering Technology (BS) |
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering: Entry Requirements
Academic Requirement:
- An intermediate-level degree/ high school diploma or equivalent in a relevant field of study (Science)
- A strong foundation in mathematics and science is preferred
- A score of at least 60% or first division in grade 12
- SAT/ACT, as requested by the university
English Language Requirement:
- An IELTS score of 6.5 minimum
- A TOEFL score of 79 minimum
Programs for Masters of Mechanical Engineering with tuition fees in the USA
Most universities in the United States offer a master's degree in mechanical engineering and an undergraduate degree. A master's degree program typically lasts 1 to 2 years, full-time. Annual tuition costs for a master of mechanical engineering in US universities range between $24,000 and $66,000.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering |
$55,510 |
Mechanical Engineer’s (ME) Degree |
||
Stanford University |
Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) |
$66,297 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering |
$28,116 ($13,674 + $14,442) |
Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering |
||
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering |
$54,046 ($27,023*2) |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
Mechanical Engineering (MS) |
N/A |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
Master of Science in mechanical engineering |
$56,364 |
Purdue University |
MS in Mechanical Engineering |
$29,918 ($ 14,959*2) |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Mechanical Engineering, MENG |
$24,532 |
Mechanical Engineering, MS |
||
Pennsylvania State University |
Mechanical Engineering, MS |
$26,904 |
Masters of Mechanical Engineering: Entry Requirements
Academic Requirement:
- Completion of a 4-years bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, mathematics, science or a related field with exposure to solid mechanics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, control, design and manufacturing
- A minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or its equivalent
- GRE Quantitative score above 162
English Language Requirement:
- A TOEFL score of at least 90 with a minimum score of 20 in each section.
- An IELTS score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each band.
Programs for Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering with tuition fees in the USA
The Doctor of Philosophy (or Science) degree is the most available academic. It is offered to complete an advanced study program and a significant original thesis. A doctoral program is generally completed within 2 to 4 years; annual tuition varies from $13,000 to $57,000.
The table below lists some universities that offer PhD programs in mechanical engineering or related fields in the US.
Universities/Colleges |
Courses |
Tuition fees per annum |
Stanford University |
PhD in Mechanical Engineering |
$54,315 |
Harvard University |
PhD in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering |
$54,768 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
PhD in Mechanical Engineering |
$26,544 ($7,551 + $5721)*2 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
PhD in Mechanical Engineering |
$13,564 ($6,782*2) |
Georgia Institute of Technology |
Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.) |
$2,600 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering |
$56,364 |
Purdue University |
Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.) |
$29,918 |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Mechanical Engineering, PhD |
$24,532 |
PhD in Mechanical Engineering: Entry Requirements
Academic Requirement:
- A bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a comparable science program
- A Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering or related field
- A minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or its equivalent
Doctoral program applicants must show research experience through published research articles, bachelor's or master's thesis, professional research work, etc.
English Language Requirement:
- A TOEFL score of at least 100 with a minimum score of 20 in each section
- An IELTS score of at least 7 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each band
Top Mechanical Engineering Universities in the USA: Scholarships
Most of the engineering programs are considered to be expensive in the US. However, scholarships available for international students are crucial in mitigating financial burden.
The following table lists some scholarships awarded to international students in the USA.
University |
Scholarships |
Amount |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
MIT Scholarship |
Average $45,146 |
Stanford University |
Stanford Graduate Fellowships |
Amount corresponding to 8–10 units of tuition |
Dean's fellowships |
N/A |
|
Prude University |
Presidential Scholarship |
$10,000 per year |
Pennsylvania State University |
Penn state award |
$6,000 per academic year |
Northwestern University |
Northwestern University Scholarship |
$250 to over $40,000 annually |
Northwestern Endowed Scholarships |
$1,000 to $5,500 annually |
|
Top Mechanical Engineering Universities in the USA: Scope
Mechanical engineering jobs are virtually limitless due to the breadth of the field and job market. Some mechanical engineers go on to work in aerospace architecture and design or aeronautics. Others work in biomedical or automotive engineering, developing complex systems and new technologies. Some international students work as material or manufacturing engineers in the market.
Here is a list of potential recruiters of mechanical engineering graduates.
- Department of Energy
- Ford Motor Company
- GE Aviation
- Apple
- Lockheed Martin
- NASA
- Walt Disney
- Illumina
- Boston Scientific
- John Deere
Mechanical engineering graduates can earn a minimum average salary starting from US$74,124 depending upon the employer, specialisation and efficiency.
The table below lists possible job positions and salary averages offered to those with a mechanical engineering degree by companies in the US.
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
Mechanical Engineer |
$64k - $103k |
$80,241 |
Manufacturing Engineer |
$63k - $102k |
$78,627 |
Design Engineer |
$62k - $104k |
$77,159 |
Project Engineer |
$61k - $107k |
$78,346 |
Mechanical Design Engineer |
$63k - $115k |
$82,035 |
Aerospace Engineer |
$70k - $119k |
$90,407 |
Mechanical Engineering Manager |
$89k - $151k |
$117,320 |
Senior Systems Engineer |
$89k - $144k |
$112,810 |
Process Engineer |
$58k - $95k |
$74,124 |
Product Development Engineer |
$66k - $107k |
$82,886 |
Research and Development Engineer |
$61k - $108k |
$80,822 |
Test Engineer |
$61k - $114k |
$79,796 |
Senior Engineering Manager |
$104k - $184k |
$141,330 |
Control Systems Engineer |
$62k - $107k |
$80,539 |