Compare 8 Mechanical Engineering. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $81,904.
Mechanical Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $75,517 and $92,129—a $17K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 8 ranked programs in Illinois, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Northwestern University's Mechanical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $92,129, well above the state average of $81,904. But University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign follows closely at $87,705 with a much larger cohort of 179 students, proving that program scale and quality can coexist at regional publics.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Northwestern graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 3.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Bradley University students borrow more at $27,000 but still maintain an excellent 6.2% burden, showing strong programs can remain affordable across different price points.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $92,129 | 67 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #2 | $87,705 | 179 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $81,887 | 73 | $27,000 | Excellent | $41,405 | Manageable |
| #4 | $81,421 | 91 | $25,000 | Excellent | $36,438 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $80,996 | 56 | $21,543 | Excellent | $19,500 | Good | |
| #6 | $78,194 | 123 | $22,162 | Excellent | $19,508 | Good | |
| #7 | $77,381 | 173 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Good | |
| #8 | $75,517 | 82 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,500 | Good |
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 →
