Compare 12 Mechanical Engineering. programs in Florida. Average earnings: $77,006.
The highest-earning Mechanical Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $39K earnings gap across 13 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Miami's Mechanical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $93,219, well above the state average of $77,067. But Florida Institute of Technology ($84,606) and University of Florida ($83,832) follow closely, proving that program excellence exists across different institutional types.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Miami graduates borrow $17,500 and face just a 3.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Florida International University leads with a 7.3% family burden—still excellent affordability.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $93,219 | 40 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Good |
| #2 | $84,606 | 109 | $27,000 | Excellent | $29,276 | Manageable | |
| #3 | University Of FloridaPublic | $83,832 | 320 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Good |
| #4 | $83,193 | 174 | $16,500 | Excellent | $13,610 | Excellent | |
| #5 | $82,542 | 461 | $18,190 | Excellent | $16,036 | Good | |
| #6 | $81,750 | 208 | $17,988 | Excellent | $15,541 | Good | |
| #7 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $80,969 | 92 | $18,000 | Excellent | $17,000 | Good |
| #8 | $79,536 | 66 | $15,531 | Excellent | $13,835 | Excellent | |
| #9 | $78,738 | 93 | $17,236 | Excellent | $15,000 | Good | |
| #10 | $62,595 | 61 | $14,250 | Excellent | $8,985 | Good | |
| #11 | $58,548 | 49 | $16,624 | Excellent | $12,269 | Good | |
| #12 | $54,538 | 5 | $22,564 | Good | $9,461 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
