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Mechanical Engineering Schools and Programs in The United States

Study Mechanical Engineering in The United States

  • Greenville Technical College

    Greenville, The United States

    Greenville Technical College (GTC) is a technical college in Greenville, South Carolina, that has served the Upstate region since 1962. Its main campus, the Barton Campus, is at 506 S. Pleasantburg Drive, and the college has 8 locations across Greenville County. GTC offers…

  • Grove City College

    Grove City, The United States

    Grove City College, created in 1876 is a leading college in America. The teaching method is centered majorly on Christian life and on improving students’ academic and moral life. The college is one of the most popular liberal arts colleges, and contains advanced…

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Mechanical Engineering Studies in The United States

Mechanical engineering deals with machines, engines and thermal systems. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), mechanical engineers research, design, develop, build and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines and machines. BLS calls it one of the broadest engineering fields: the work ranges from electric generators, turbines and air-conditioning systems to medical devices, batteries and robots. SpainExchange lists 89 colleges and universities in the United States that teach mechanical engineering.

How the degree is organised

The usual first degree is a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study, and each university sets the number of credits needed to graduate. According to BLS, mechanical engineering programmes usually include courses in mathematics and life and physical sciences, as well as engineering and design. Mechanical engineering technology is a separate type of programme that focuses less on theory and more on the practical application of engineering principles.

The two main graduate degrees are the master's degree, which usually takes about two years, and the PhD. BLS notes that some universities offer 5-year programmes that lead to both a bachelor's and a master's degree; Purdue University's BS/MS Combined Program (4+1) and the combined BS/MS at Northwestern University are examples. Some 5-year or 6-year cooperative (co-op) plans combine classroom study with paid practical work. Departments also differ in emphasis. Northwestern builds its department on three core disciplines: design and manufacturing, mechanics and materials, and robotics and biosystems. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) lists mechanics, design, controls, energy, ocean, bio, and micro and nano as its research areas.

Accreditation and the engineering licence

In the United States, academic accreditation is voluntary and carried out by non-governmental organisations. For engineering, the main body is ABET, which accredits individual programmes, not whole universities, at associate, bachelor's and master's level. ABET states that it accredits 4,863 programmes at 950 colleges and universities in 42 countries, and that its accreditation is not a ranking. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), for example, describes its Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering as ABET-accredited. According to BLS, most employers prefer graduates of an accredited programme.

A licence is not required for entry-level jobs, but mechanical engineers who sell services to the public must be licensed in all states and the District of Columbia. The Professional Engineer (PE) licence is issued by state boards. According to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), boards generally require a bachelor's degree from an EAC/ABET-accredited programme, and most states require four years of work experience besides the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and PE exams.

Admission, language and costs

Teaching is in English, and universities require an English proficiency test before admission. Each university sets its own requirements, so its international admissions page is the reference; EducationUSA advises starting the search 12 to 18 months before the planned start. For a full degree, international students need a student visa: once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the international student office issues the Form I-20 used in the visa application.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees at 4-year institutions in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public institutions and $40,700 at private nonprofit institutions. The public figure is the in-state rate, so check what each university charges non-residents. Starting at a community college, which is usually cheaper, and transferring to a university after two years can lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree.

Where to study mechanical engineering

The schools are spread across the country, and no city has more than two. Cambridge, Massachusetts has MIT and Harvard University; Pittsburgh has the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University; Philadelphia has Drexel University and Temple University; Miami has the University of Miami and Florida International University. Many of the others are large public universities. At the Georgia Institute of Technology, the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering reports 2,435 undergraduate students in fall 2026 and 479 BS degrees awarded in 2025-26. The Pennsylvania State University's department reports more than 60 faculty members and 1,000 undergraduate students, and teaches its MS both on campus and online. Stanford University states that its undergraduate programme prepares students for entry-level work as mechanical engineers or for graduate study. Community colleges such as Tacoma Community College and Broward College offer a lower-cost start.

Careers

BLS counts about 298,500 mechanical engineering jobs in 2025 and projects employment to grow 11% from 2025 to 2035, with about 17,800 openings a year. The largest employers are architectural, engineering and related services, with 20% of jobs, machinery manufacturing, with 14%, and transportation equipment manufacturing, with 10%. BLS gives automotive research, heating and cooling systems, and robotics as examples of specialisms.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a mechanical engineering degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. Some universities offer 5-year programmes that lead to both a bachelor's and a master's degree.

What is the difference between mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology?

According to BLS, mechanical engineering technology programmes focus less on theory and more on the practical application of engineering principles, and may emphasise internships and co-ops.

Do mechanical engineers need a licence?

Not for entry-level jobs, according to BLS. Engineers who sell services to the public must hold a Professional Engineer (PE) licence, and a degree from an accredited programme is usually necessary to obtain one.

Can international students work while studying?

According to EducationUSA, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, with permission from the international student office.