Top Mechanical Engineering Universities in the USA

Top Mechanical Engineering Universities in the USA

Top Mechanical Engineering Universities in the USA
Saru Niraula

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

 

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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
  • Google
  • 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

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