Best Mechanical Engineering colleges in the U.S. 2024

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT is a private research institution and one of the leading schools in technology and science. The school was established in 1861 and serves approximately 11,600 students. Its Department of Mechanical Engineering offers two undergraduate programs: a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Ocean Engineering. Graduate students choose from an MS in Mechanical Engineering and a Mechanical Engineer’s Degree (ME).

It’s no coincidence that MIT’s mascot is a beaver. The critter purposely was selected because of its "remarkable engineering and mechanical skill and its habits of industry." The prestigious institution has a variety of programs that are well regarded, but engineering is its soul. In fact, about 60 percent of MIT’s undergrads and 45 percent of grad students are enrolled in the School of Engineering. The distinguished scholars teaching in the mechanical engineering department are also cutting-edge researchers. From helping to bring clean water to rural India by designing a solar-powered desalination device to creating a humanoid robot for disaster and rescue missions, they use their knowledge to solve real-world problems. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program gets interested students in on the action too; perhaps you’ll help design low-cost radio-frequency identification chips or figure out a better way to harness wind power. If creative problem-solving energizes you, MIT might be your ideal place.

Established in 1865, Cornell is a private Ivy League institution in Ithaca, New York. Its Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers both a bachelor’s and master’s in mechanical engineering. Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA to remain in good standing. Learners need a C- or higher grade in all major required classes. Master’s students must complete 30 credit hours with a 2.5 or higher GPA for graduation. 

Established in 1891, Stanford is a private research school in California. The school serves about 17,300 students and offers BS degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, and Biochemical Engineering. Graduate learners can pursue a general MS in Mechanical Engineering or follow a specialized track in biochemical engineering, design impact, or an individually designed, customized master’s degree.

A top-notch faculty, nationally ranked programs, some 65 state-of-the art university centers and labs, along with intelligent and supportive classmates – what else could an engineering major want from a school? Well, how about a pristine campus located in sunny California in the heart of Silicon Valley where opportunities for internships, learning experiences, and employment abound? Stanford’s School of Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly a century -- engineering faculty and graduates have founded an estimated 12,700 companies over the decades -- and shows no signs of slowing down. Engineering is one of the university’s most popular majors, and roughly 1,600 undergraduates and 3,200 graduate students seek degrees through the school’s nine academic departments. The mechanical engineering department centers itself around five themes: biomedicine, computational engineering, design, energy, and multi-scale engineering. Curiosity-driven research that crosses disciplines or even schools is encouraged, as seen by the School of Engineering’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, which brings together students and faculty in engineering, business, education, medicine, and the humanities to learn design thinking and work together to solve big problems in a human-centered way. Think outside the boundaries, and you may be on your way to being Stanford’s next successful alum!

Founded in 1838 in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is a private institution with approximately 15,700 students. The school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering. The school prides itself on immersive experiential training in areas including hands-on design, research, and entrepreneurship. Doctoral students choose from specializations in aerospace engineering; dynamics, controls, and robotics; materials science and biomaterials; mechanics, design, and computing; thermal fluids and energy; or AI materials.

Located in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern is a private research institution with about 22,000 students. Learners can follow concentrations in diverse areas including microfluidics, tribology, composite materials, and biomimetics. The BS in Mechanical Engineering requires 47 courses, including foundational topics like statics, dynamics, and differential equations. Graduate students can earn both an MS and PhD, including cross-disciplinary programs in robotics and product design and development.

Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins is a private research institution established in 1876. Undergraduate mechanical engineering students can choose from tracks in aerospace engineering or biomechanics. Johns Hopkins also offers full- and part-time master’s programs, along with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. The part-time master’s program is designed for working professionals and features both hybrid and fully online learning formats.

UC Berkeley is a public research institution with approximately 42,400 students. Established in 1868, UC Berkeley’s mechanical engineering program features three undergraduate and two graduate degree programs. Learners can also pursue a dual BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering. While applicants for fall 2022 do not need to submit GRE scores, the mechanical engineering programs require prospective master’s students to submit three letters of recommendation that can speak to their likelihood of success in a rigorous program. 

A private research university in Houston, Texas, Rice offers a BA and BS in Mechanical Engineering. Graduate learners can also pursue a non-thesis master of mechanical engineering. Research-focused master’s students can earn an MS, which includes the writing of a traditional master’s thesis. Rice also offers a highly selective PhD program in the field, which requires a doctoral dissertation for graduation.