Best Mechanical Engineering Programs in the Midwest (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Engineering Colleges in the Midwest
Regional list from Mechanical Engineering Programs in the United States
This page ranks the 74 Mechanical Engineering programs in the Midwest by median earnings of Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads the list with median earnings of $105,888 four years after completing.
The median across all listed programs is $88,962, with figures ranging from $105,888 to $78,118.
Public institutions account for 52 of the 74 programs, while 22 are private nonprofit. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Purdue University Northwest reports the lowest average net price on the list at $6,079.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $105,888 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 15.6% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $105,888 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 2 | University of Detroit Mercy · Detroit, MI | $104,683 | $15,232 | $13,088 | 75.4% |
| A private nonprofit university in Detroit, University of Detroit Mercy reports an admission rate of 75% and median earnings of $104,683 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN | $102,572 | $14,600 | $5,098 | 49.9% |
| Purdue University-Main Campus posts median federal debt of $19,500 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $102,572 four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | Lawrence Technological University · Southfield, MI | $100,145 | $32,918 | $25,980 | 55.9% |
| With an average net price of $32,918, Lawrence Technological University ranks 4th on this list and reports median earnings of $100,145 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 5 | University of Notre Dame · Notre Dame, IN | $99,859 | $26,780 | $7,244 | 11.3% |
| University of Notre Dame admits 11% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median of $99,859 four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Saint Louis University · Saint Louis, MO | $99,331 | $24,398 | $22,501 | 75.0% |
| Saint Louis University ranks 498th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates report median earnings of $99,331 four years after completing. | |||||
| 7 | Kettering University · Flint, MI | $99,292 | $34,660 | $24,910 | 78.7% |
| Kettering University reports median federal debt of $28,000 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed, with median earnings of $99,292 four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Northwestern University · Evanston, IL | $98,277 | $29,167 | $1,764 | 7.7% |
| Northwestern University has an admission rate of 8% and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median of $98,277 four years after completing. | |||||
| 9 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $97,946 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
| Michigan State University ranks 69th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and posts median earnings of $97,946 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI | $97,444 | $9,120 | $4,422 | 87.8% |
| With an average net price of $9,120, Oakland University reports median earnings of $97,444 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | $96,418 | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus reports median federal debt of $19,932 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $96,418 four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology · Terre Haute, IN | $95,983 | $42,513 | $36,843 | 76.9% |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ranks 12th on this list, with an average net price of $42,513 and median earnings of $95,983 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 13 | Washington University in St Louis · St. Louis, MO | $95,965 | $21,786 | $1,716 | 12.1% |
| Washington University in St Louis reports median earnings of $95,965 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $1,716 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 14 | Bradley University · Peoria, IL | $95,896 | $22,719 | $17,269 | 76.8% |
| Bradley University admits 77% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median federal debt of $27,000. | |||||
| 15 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL | $95,329 | $14,355 | $2,038 | 42.4% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks 35th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing earned a median of $95,329. | |||||
| 16 | University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI | $95,114 | $17,354 | $4,200 | 45.2% |
| With an average net price of $17,354, University of Wisconsin-Madison posted median earnings of $95,114 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | University of Michigan-Dearborn · Dearborn, MI | $94,919 | $9,492 | $7,211 | 55.6% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn ranks 17th on this list and reports an admission rate of 56%. | |||||
| 18 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $94,869 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
| Wayne State University's Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing earned a median of $94,869, and the school's average net price is $12,766. | |||||
| 19 | University of Missouri-Columbia · Columbia, MO | $94,629 | $20,268 | $13,841 | 78.5% |
| University of Missouri-Columbia ranks 144th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median federal debt of $21,843. | |||||
| 20 | Case Western Reserve University · Cleveland, OH | $94,197 | $41,190 | $19,025 | 36.5% |
| Case Western Reserve University reports median earnings of $94,197 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $19,025 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 21 | Marquette University · Milwaukee, WI | $93,764 | $31,487 | $22,269 | 81.3% |
| Marquette University admits 81% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing earned a median of $93,764. | |||||
| 22 | Missouri University of Science and Technology · Rolla, MO | $91,742 | $16,298 | $10,912 | 72.6% |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology's Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median federal debt of $22,412, and the school ranks 136th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 23 | University of St Thomas · Saint Paul, MN | $91,683 | $29,155 | $28,131 | 85.4% |
| University of St Thomas reports an average net price of $29,155 and median earnings of $91,683 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 24 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $91,285 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 85.0% |
| Ohio University-Main Campus ranks 24th on this list, and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median federal debt of $26,216. | |||||
| 25 | Purdue University Northwest · Hammond, IN | $91,229 | $6,079 | $1,432 | 72.4% |
| Purdue University Northwest reports median earnings of $91,229 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $6,079. | |||||
| 26 | University of Toledo · Toledo, OH | $90,717 | $17,249 | $13,524 | 92.0% |
| University of Toledo admits 92% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earned a median of $90,717 four years after completing. | |||||
| 27 | University of Missouri-Kansas City · Kansas City, MO | $90,588 | $13,310 | $10,576 | 72.2% |
| Graduates of University of Missouri-Kansas City who borrowed left with a median of $23,000 in federal debt among Mechanical Engineering completers, and the school ranks 27th on this list. | |||||
| 28 | Valparaiso University · Valparaiso, IN | $90,583 | $18,578 | $11,043 | 89.4% |
| A private nonprofit university in Valparaiso, Valparaiso University shows median earnings of $90,583 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 29 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $90,565 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
| Grand Valley State University posts an average net price of $16,317 and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earned a median of $90,565 four years after completing. | |||||
| 30 | Lake Superior State University · Sault Ste Marie, MI | $90,216 | $12,822 | $3,516 | Not reported |
| Lake Superior State University ranks 30th on this list and reports a school-wide median federal debt of $23,250 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 31 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities · Minneapolis, MN | $90,061 | $16,778 | $6,642 | 79.8% |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities reports median earnings of $90,061 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 80%. | |||||
| 32 | University of North Dakota · Grand Forks, ND | $89,704 | $18,551 | $13,126 | 76.9% |
| With an admission rate of 77%, University of North Dakota shows median earnings of $89,704 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 33 | University of Michigan-Flint · Flint, MI | $89,554 | $7,007 | $1,517 | 70.5% |
| University of Michigan-Flint shows an average net price of $7,007 and median earnings of $89,554 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 34 | University of Iowa · Iowa City, IA | $89,078 | $22,531 | $15,316 | 83.6% |
| An admission rate of 84% coincides with median earnings of $89,078 for Mechanical Engineering graduates of University of Iowa four years after completing. | |||||
| 35 | Wichita State University · Wichita, KS | $89,074 | $13,194 | $9,734 | 94.0% |
| Wichita State University ranks 35th on this list, with median earnings of $89,074 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 36 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln · Lincoln, NE | $88,972 | $17,747 | $12,751 | 87.5% |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports a median of $20,767 in federal debt among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed, alongside earnings of $88,972 four years after completing. | |||||
| 37 | University of Minnesota-Duluth · Duluth, MN | $88,965 | $18,743 | $7,256 | 88.8% |
| Median earnings of $88,965 for Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing at University of Minnesota-Duluth coincide with an average net price of $18,743. | |||||
| 38 | Indiana University-Indianapolis · Indianapolis, IN | $88,960 | $11,668 | $5,701 | 76.4% |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis ranks 38th on this list, with a median federal debt of $20,921 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 39 | Michigan Technological University · Houghton, MI | $88,860 | $14,182 | $2,045 | 92.4% |
| An average net price of $2,045 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $88,860 for Michigan Technological University graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 40 | Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS | $88,533 | $19,406 | $13,178 | 81.7% |
| Kansas State University posts an average net price of $19,406 and a median federal debt of $22,116 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 41 | University of Dayton · Dayton, OH | $88,339 | $29,533 | $21,736 | 65.5% |
| University of Dayton, a private nonprofit university in Dayton, reports median earnings of $88,339 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 42 | Illinois Institute of Technology · Chicago, IL | $87,789 | $18,425 | $12,964 | 54.9% |
| Illinois Institute of Technology graduates four years after completing earn a median of $87,789, and on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions it sits at 206th. | |||||
| 43 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | $87,752 | $13,946 | $10,413 | 59.7% |
| University of Akron Main Campus admits 60% of applicants and shows an average net price of $13,946. | |||||
| 44 | South Dakota State University · Brookings, SD | $87,704 | $19,841 | $14,266 | 98.3% |
| An average net price of $14,266 for families earning under $30,000 accompanies a median federal debt of $27,000 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed at South Dakota State University. | |||||
| 45 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus · Fargo, ND | $87,702 | $15,543 | $9,370 | 95.0% |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus ranks 45th on this list, with median earnings of $87,702 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 46 | University of Wisconsin-Stout · Menomonie, WI | $87,645 | $17,490 | $10,966 | 87.7% |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout admits 88% of applicants and reports a median federal debt of $24,992 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 47 | Saint Cloud State University · Saint Cloud, MN | $87,503 | $13,529 | $8,909 | 94.8% |
| Saint Cloud State University shows an average net price of $13,529 and a cohort of 34 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 48 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $87,477 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
| Western Michigan University graduates four years after completing earn a median of $87,477, and on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions it is 353rd. | |||||
| 49 | University of Illinois Chicago · Chicago, IL | $87,384 | $10,974 | $7,529 | 77.4% |
| University of Illinois Chicago reports median earnings of $87,384 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with 168 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 50 | Miami University-Oxford · Oxford, OH | $87,343 | $28,384 | $16,015 | 75.4% |
| Miami University-Oxford admits 75% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median of $24,700 in federal loans. | |||||
| 51 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville · Platteville, WI | $87,139 | $16,032 | $9,009 | 89.4% |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville ranks 51st on this list and posts an average net price of $16,032. | |||||
| 52 | Northern Illinois University · Dekalb, IL | $86,999 | $13,391 | $10,126 | 69.8% |
| Northern Illinois University sits at 116th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earned a median of $86,999 four years after completing. | |||||
| 53 | Trine University · Angola, IN | $86,997 | $25,355 | $19,661 | 85.5% |
| A private nonprofit university in Angola, Trine University shows median federal debt of $27,000 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 54 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · Milwaukee, WI | $86,405 | $15,014 | $10,329 | 90.7% |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reports an average net price of $10,329 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $86,405 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 55 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · Cincinnati, OH | $86,331 | $25,648 | $17,974 | 85.3% |
| Median federal debt among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is $24,999, and the school ranks 55th on this list. | |||||
| 56 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL | $86,238 | $13,297 | $9,415 | 86.9% |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale posts an average net price of $13,297 and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earned a median of $86,238 four years after completing. | |||||
| 57 | Cedarville University · Cedarville, OH | $86,062 | $24,468 | $18,987 | 65.3% |
| Cedarville University admits 65% of applicants and sits at 1143rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 58 | Iowa State University · Ames, IA | $85,938 | $18,589 | $10,582 | 88.7% |
| Iowa State University reports median earnings of $85,938 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with 406 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 59 | University of Evansville · Evansville, IN | $85,851 | $18,499 | $14,451 | 77.6% |
| University of Evansville shows median federal debt of $25,010 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed and an average net price of $14,451 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 60 | Ohio Northern University · Ada, OH | $85,802 | $24,478 | $18,525 | 74.4% |
| An average net price of $24,478 and an admission rate of 74% are reported by Ohio Northern University, which ranks 60th on this list. | |||||
| 61 | Milwaukee School of Engineering · Milwaukee, WI | $85,791 | $22,453 | $11,607 | 58.9% |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering, a private nonprofit university in Milwaukee, reports median earnings of $85,791 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with 134 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 62 | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology · Rapid City, SD | $85,350 | $20,183 | $15,348 | 79.9% |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admits 80% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering graduates posted median earnings of $85,350 four years after completing. | |||||
| 63 | Minnesota State University-Mankato · Mankato, MN | $85,286 | $19,139 | $12,339 | 88.4% |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato ranks 63rd on this list, and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median of $23,562 in federal loans. | |||||
| 64 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $85,196 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
| Central Michigan University shows an average net price of $17,597 alongside median earnings of $85,196 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 65 | Cleveland State University · Cleveland, OH | $85,184 | $14,764 | $11,958 | 91.3% |
| Cleveland State University ranks 211th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $85,184 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 66 | Purdue University Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne, IN | $85,075 | $13,171 | $8,306 | 83.9% |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne reports an average net price of $8,306 for families earning under $30,000, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earned a median of $85,075 four years after completing. | |||||
| 67 | University of Missouri-St Louis · Saint Louis, MO | $84,087 | $15,071 | $13,031 | 62.7% |
| University of Missouri-St Louis ranks 67th on this list, with median earnings of $84,087 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing and a median federal debt of $27,250 among those completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 68 | Saginaw Valley State University · University Center, MI | $83,873 | $10,775 | $9,844 | 72.1% |
| Saginaw Valley State University admits 72% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earned a median of $83,873 four years after completing. | |||||
| 69 | University of Kansas · Lawrence, KS | $82,934 | $18,059 | $12,544 | 93.5% |
| University of Kansas ranks 183rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median of $20,500 in federal loans. | |||||
| 70 | Wright State University-Main Campus · Dayton, OH | $82,795 | $15,415 | $11,952 | 96.3% |
| Wright State University-Main Campus reports an average net price of $15,415 and median earnings of $82,795 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 71 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville · Edwardsville, IL | $81,428 | $14,889 | $8,483 | 97.5% |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranks 71st on this list and shows an average net price of $8,483 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 72 | University of Mount Union · Alliance, OH | $80,963 | $23,280 | $16,786 | 78.2% |
| University of Mount Union, a private nonprofit university in Alliance, reports median earnings of $80,963 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with 14 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 73 | Youngstown State University · Youngstown, OH | $80,158 | $12,767 | $9,328 | 84.5% |
| Youngstown State University ranks 73rd on this list, with median earnings of $80,158 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 74 | Dordt University · Sioux Center, IA | $78,118 | $25,807 | $22,597 | 68.5% |
| Dordt University, a private nonprofit university in Sioux Center, reports an average net price of $25,807 alongside a 68% admission rate. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the Midwest appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after graduating. It does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 74 schools with a published figure. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads at $105,888, with University of Detroit Mercy just $1,205 behind at $104,683. Across all 74 programs the spread from top to bottom is $27,770.
Job market context in the Midwest
Mechanical Engineering graduates in the Midwest enter occupations such as Mechanical Engineers and Cost Estimators. The median annual wage across those occupations is $91,238, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $74,001. Projections for 2024 to 2034 show about 12,630 openings a year, or about 145 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 3.9% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, which reflect early-career outcomes rather than the broader occupational wage distribution.