Best Mechanical Engineering Programs in the South (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Engineering Colleges in the South
Regional list from Mechanical Engineering Programs in the United States
This page ranks the 91 Mechanical Engineering programs in the South by the median earnings of Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, highest first. Duke University leads the list with median earnings of $120,991 four years after completing.
Across the listed programs, the median figure is $90,102, with a range from $120,991 to $52,107. For 3 of the 91 programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 72 of the listed schools, or 79%, alongside 19 private nonprofits. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley posts the lowest average net price on the page at $4,831.
The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University · Durham, NC | $120,991 | $29,612 | $735 | 5.7% |
| Duke University reports median earnings of $120,991 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 6%. | |||||
| 2 | Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MD | $110,210 | $18,809 | $428 | 6.4% |
| Johns Hopkins University ranks 2nd on this list, with a median of $10,750 in federal debt among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 3 | Rice University · Houston, TX | $108,970 | $13,370 | $5,827 | 8.0% |
| Rice University posts an average net price of $5,827 for families earning under $30,000, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median of $108,970 four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $104,523 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| A public university in Austin, The University of Texas at Austin ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 5 | Vanderbilt University · Nashville, TN | $101,345 | $15,846 | $3,414 | 5.9% |
| Vanderbilt University admits 6% of applicants and reports median earnings of $101,345 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $101,196 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
| George Washington University shows an average net price of $36,586, and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median of $21,375 in federal debt. | |||||
| 7 | University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD | $100,003 | $15,678 | $2,962 | 44.8% |
| University of Maryland-College Park ranks 7th on this list, with 360 graduates in the earnings cohort and a median of $100,003 four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College · Baton Rouge, LA | $99,975 | $19,151 | $13,056 | 73.3% |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College posts an admission rate of 73%, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median of $99,975 four years after completing. | |||||
| 9 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus · Atlanta, GA | $99,955 | $12,116 | $7,666 | 14.1% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus reports a median of $22,500 in federal debt among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $99,955 four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $98,113 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| Texas Tech University ranks 86th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median of $98,113 four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $97,903 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| With 415 graduates in the earnings cohort, Texas A&M University-College Station shows an average net price of $12,784 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 12 | Lamar University · Beaumont, TX | $97,159 | $9,366 | $7,568 | 86.4% |
| Lamar University admits 86% of applicants, and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median of $27,500 in federal debt. | |||||
| 13 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $97,113 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| University of Florida ranks 13th on this list, with median earnings of $97,113 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 14 | George Mason University · Fairfax, VA | $96,467 | $17,915 | $11,942 | 87.5% |
| A public university in Fairfax, George Mason University reports an admission rate of 87% and median earnings of $96,467 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 15 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $96,376 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University posts an average net price of $24,953 and median federal debt of $22,500 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 16 | University of Alabama in Huntsville · Huntsville, AL | $95,341 | $18,796 | $16,192 | 68.6% |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville ranks 249th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates report median earnings of $95,341 four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL | $95,079 | $22,420 | $19,169 | 76.7% |
| With a cohort of 300 graduates in the earnings cohort, The University of Alabama reports median earnings of $95,079 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County · Baltimore, MD | $95,078 | $16,467 | $5,087 | 72.4% |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County carries an average net price of $5,087 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $95,078 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 19 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $94,881 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
| An admission rate of 17% and median federal debt of $19,000 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed are reported by University of Virginia-Main Campus. | |||||
| 20 | Lipscomb University · Nashville, TN | $93,990 | $24,739 | $20,048 | 67.7% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Nashville, Lipscomb University reports median earnings of $93,990 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $24,739. | |||||
| 21 | West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX | $93,938 | $19,487 | $16,525 | 98.7% |
| West Texas A & M University ranks 21st on this list, with an admission rate of 99% and a cohort of 35 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 22 | Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS | $93,893 | $17,595 | $14,332 | 77.6% |
| Mississippi State University reports median earnings of $93,893 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing and median federal debt of $21,636 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 23 | University of Delaware · Newark, DE | $93,873 | $17,799 | $10,901 | 70.6% |
| University of Delaware ranks 242nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates report median earnings of $93,873 four years after completing. | |||||
| 24 | Tuskegee University · Tuskegee, AL | $93,694 | $35,013 | $34,324 | 48.7% |
| Tuskegee University carries an average net price of $34,324 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median federal debt of $30,500 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 25 | Florida International University · Miami, FL | $93,494 | $9,288 | $7,003 | 54.7% |
| Florida International University reports median earnings of $93,494 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $9,288. | |||||
| 26 | University of Mississippi · University, MS | $93,311 | $13,314 | $8,945 | 96.6% |
| University of Mississippi admits 97% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median of $21,500 in federal loans. | |||||
| 27 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $93,275 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| With median earnings of $93,275 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, University of Houston ranks 13th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 28 | Auburn University · Auburn, AL | $93,246 | $24,323 | $16,681 | 45.9% |
| Auburn University posts an average net price of $24,323 and a median of $23,250 in federal debt among its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 29 | Baylor University · Waco, TX | $92,990 | $41,104 | $22,024 | 51.3% |
| A private nonprofit university in Waco, Baylor University shows median earnings of $92,990 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 30 | Southern University and A & M College · Baton Rouge, LA | $92,969 | $20,077 | $19,047 | 35.1% |
| Southern University and A & M College reports an admission rate of 35% and median federal debt of $28,437 among its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 31 | Florida Institute of Technology · Melbourne, FL | $92,753 | $35,639 | $29,108 | 57.7% |
| Florida Institute of Technology ranks 31st on this list, with median earnings of $92,753 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 32 | Louisiana Tech University · Ruston, LA | $92,457 | $11,864 | $7,676 | 86.4% |
| A public university in Ruston, Louisiana Tech University posts an average net price of $7,676 for families earning under $30,000 and admits 86% of applicants. | |||||
| 33 | Arkansas State University · Jonesboro, AR | $91,665 | $12,366 | $10,098 | 82.3% |
| Arkansas State University reports median earnings of $91,665 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, and a school-wide median federal debt of $20,500 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 34 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $91,653 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus admits 77% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing earned a median of $91,653. | |||||
| 35 | University of New Orleans · New Orleans, LA | $91,435 | $12,384 | $11,532 | 74.3% |
| Median federal debt among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed is $13,375 at University of New Orleans, which ranks 35th on this list. | |||||
| 36 | University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia, SC | $91,296 | $22,811 | $12,634 | 60.2% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia reports median earnings of $91,296 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing and has 183 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 37 | University of Tulsa · Tulsa, OK | $91,225 | $15,000 | $5,578 | 61.5% |
| With an admission rate of 62%, University of Tulsa reports median earnings of $91,225 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 38 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette · Lafayette, LA | $91,187 | $13,530 | $11,157 | 87.0% |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette shows an average net price of $11,157 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $91,187 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 39 | Clemson University · Clemson, SC | $91,028 | $22,253 | $13,607 | 38.3% |
| Clemson University reports median earnings of $91,028 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with a median federal debt of $21,665 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 40 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $90,654 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
| University of Kentucky ranks 220th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates posted median earnings of $90,654 four years after completing. | |||||
| 41 | Southern Methodist University · Dallas, TX | $90,649 | $40,892 | $23,544 | 63.4% |
| Admitting 63% of applicants, Southern Methodist University reports median earnings of $90,649 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 42 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $90,623 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville reports median earnings of $90,623 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with a median federal debt of $23,250 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 43 | West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV | $90,461 | $15,634 | $9,450 | 89.0% |
| An average net price of $9,450 for families earning under $30,000 accompanies West Virginia University's median earnings of $90,461 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 44 | The Catholic University of America · Washington, DC | $90,355 | $29,561 | $17,358 | 82.8% |
| The Catholic University of America admits 83% of applicants, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earned a median of $90,355 four years after completing. | |||||
| 45 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | $90,158 | $13,951 | $11,893 | 79.9% |
| On Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates posted median earnings of $90,158 four years after completing. | |||||
| 46 | The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX | $90,102 | $18,267 | $12,814 | 65.1% |
| The University of Texas at Dallas reports median earnings of $90,102 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside a median federal debt of $20,689 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 47 | University of Central Florida · Orlando, FL | $89,663 | $10,411 | $5,816 | 40.1% |
| For families earning under $30,000, University of Central Florida carries an average net price of $5,816, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earned a median of $89,663 four years after completing. | |||||
| 48 | Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL | $89,622 | $11,297 | $5,938 | 24.2% |
| Florida State University admits 24% of applicants and ranks 65th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 49 | University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, AL | $89,589 | $18,749 | $16,172 | 88.2% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham reports median earnings of $89,589 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $18,749. | |||||
| 50 | Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton, FL | $89,583 | $8,752 | $3,022 | 66.1% |
| Florida Atlantic University admits 66% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median of $20,875 in federal loans. | |||||
| 51 | University of Memphis · Memphis, TN | $89,516 | $12,397 | $10,607 | 72.0% |
| University of Memphis ranks 51st on this list, with 48 graduates in the earnings cohort and an average net price of $10,607 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 52 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus · Stillwater, OK | $89,436 | $17,447 | $12,243 | 75.0% |
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus posts median earnings of $89,436 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, and ranks 138th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 53 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga · Chattanooga, TN | $89,407 | $14,265 | $9,876 | 81.1% |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga reports an admission rate of 81% and median federal debt of $20,841 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 54 | Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA | $89,129 | $29,357 | $30,667 | 99.0% |
| Liberty University, a private nonprofit university in Lynchburg, reports median earnings of $89,129 for its graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $29,357. | |||||
| 55 | University of Louisville · Louisville, KY | $89,056 | $17,988 | $15,138 | 79.4% |
| University of Louisville ranks 207th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing earned a median of $89,056. | |||||
| 56 | University of South Alabama · Mobile, AL | $89,052 | $17,648 | $12,657 | 71.0% |
| A public university in Mobile, University of South Alabama admits 71% of applicants, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earned a median of $89,052 four years after completing. | |||||
| 57 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $88,860 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 69.2% |
| Kennesaw State University ranks 24th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median of $24,962 in federal loans. | |||||
| 58 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX | $88,830 | $12,090 | $10,207 | 90.9% |
| Texas A&M University-Kingsville admits 91% of applicants and reports median earnings of $88,830 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 59 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $88,708 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 79.3% |
| Prairie View A & M University reports median federal debt of $28,812 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed, alongside an average net price of $13,570. | |||||
| 60 | The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler, TX | $88,562 | $13,323 | $10,307 | 94.0% |
| The University of Texas at Tyler reports an average net price of $10,307 for families earning under $30,000, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing earned a median of $88,562. | |||||
| 61 | Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA | $88,410 | $23,433 | $17,512 | 92.6% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University reports median earnings of $88,410 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $23,433. | |||||
| 62 | The University of Texas at El Paso · El Paso, TX | $88,393 | $9,403 | $7,863 | 99.9% |
| The University of Texas at El Paso admits 100% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed left with a median federal debt of $16,378. | |||||
| 63 | University of Georgia · Athens, GA | $88,366 | $13,936 | $8,085 | 37.7% |
| University of Georgia ranks 95th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing earned a median of $88,366. | |||||
| 64 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $88,265 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% |
| An average net price of $15,435 coincides with an admission rate of 80% at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. | |||||
| 65 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $88,249 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
| Median federal debt of $22,586 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed is reported by University of South Florida, which also posts an average net price of $4,122 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 66 | University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK | $88,188 | $18,309 | $15,275 | 78.1% |
| University of Central Oklahoma ranks 66th on this list, with median earnings of $88,188 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 67 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $87,991 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 94.2% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley posts an average net price of $4,831 and ranks 11th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 68 | Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA | $87,772 | $14,638 | $9,739 | 90.4% |
| Old Dominion University reports median federal debt of $25,000 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed, and its graduates four years after completing earned a median of $87,772. | |||||
| 69 | Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA | $87,731 | $15,267 | $12,162 | 87.9% |
| Georgia Southern University admits 88% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing earned a median of $87,731. | |||||
| 70 | Alabama A & M University · Normal, AL | $87,291 | $17,621 | $16,500 | 58.0% |
| Alabama A & M University ranks 314th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $17,621. | |||||
| 71 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $87,257 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| University of North Texas shows median earnings of $87,257 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $12,311 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 72 | Midwestern State University · Wichita Falls, TX | $87,160 | $11,656 | $8,856 | 93.5% |
| Midwestern State University reports median federal debt of $31,000 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed, and an admission rate of 94%. | |||||
| 73 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $87,112 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 41.7% |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh reports median earnings of $87,112 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with 249 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 74 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $87,062 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio admits 87% of applicants and posts an average net price of $10,836. | |||||
| 75 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $86,624 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 93.9% |
| Western Kentucky University ranks 418th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median federal debt of $26,688 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 76 | University of Miami · Coral Gables, FL | $86,156 | $37,244 | $15,978 | 18.9% |
| A private nonprofit university in Coral Gables, University of Miami shows median earnings of $86,156 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 77 | University of North Florida · Jacksonville, FL | $85,995 | $10,154 | $6,647 | 53.2% |
| University of North Florida ranks 77th on this list and reports an average net price of $6,647 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 78 | Oklahoma Christian University · Edmond, OK | $85,881 | $21,872 | $17,818 | 96.5% |
| With an admission rate of 97%, Oklahoma Christian University posts median earnings of $85,881 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 79 | North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC | $85,463 | $10,846 | $8,223 | 49.9% |
| North Carolina A & T State University reports 82 graduates in the earnings cohort and a median federal debt of $27,000 among Mechanical Engineering completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 80 | Christian Brothers University · Memphis, TN | $85,285 | $9,854 | $9,466 | 86.7% |
| Christian Brothers University ranks 709th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $9,854. | |||||
| 81 | LeTourneau University · Longview, TX | $84,998 | $28,185 | $22,785 | 38.0% |
| Median earnings for Mechanical Engineering graduates of LeTourneau University reach $84,998 four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 38%. | |||||
| 82 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $84,464 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
| University of Arkansas posts an average net price of $14,319 for families earning under $30,000 and reports median earnings of $84,464 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 83 | Tennessee Technological University · Cookeville, TN | $84,267 | $14,246 | $9,815 | 76.1% |
| Graduates of Tennessee Technological University who borrowed left with a median of $19,000 in federal loans among Mechanical Engineering completers, and the school ranks 83rd on this list. | |||||
| 84 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina · Charleston, SC | $83,912 | $20,723 | $15,430 | 22.7% |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina admits 23% of applicants and reports median earnings of $83,912 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 85 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX | $82,322 | $15,225 | $11,445 | 88.6% |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi reports median earnings of $82,322 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 52 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 86 | Virginia Military Institute · Lexington, VA | $76,909 | $17,113 | $12,697 | 71.3% |
| Virginia Military Institute admits 71% of applicants and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median of $76,909 four years after completing. | |||||
| 87 | Harding University · Searcy, AR | $73,601 | $22,130 | $15,418 | 70.5% |
| A private nonprofit university in Searcy, Harding University carries an average net price of $22,130 and ranks 1206th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 88 | Florida Polytechnic University · Lakeland, FL | $70,314 | $11,853 | $8,819 | 57.5% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $14,250 in federal loans at Florida Polytechnic University, where the Mechanical Engineering program reports median earnings of $70,314 four years after completing. | |||||
| 89 | The University of Texas Permian Basin · Odessa, TX | $69,732 | $12,723 | $11,930 | 94.9% |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin posts an admission rate of 95% and an average net price of $11,930 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 90 | Tennessee State University · Nashville, TN | $64,990 | $15,796 | $15,005 | 70.1% |
| Tennessee State University ranks 502nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median of $64,990 four years after completing. | |||||
| 91 | Howard University · Washington, DC | $52,107 | $50,539 | $46,051 | 41.3% |
| Howard University reports median earnings of $52,107 for its Mechanical Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $50,539. | |||||
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 South appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 3 of the 91 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between first-ranked Duke University and second-ranked Johns Hopkins University is $10,781, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom reaches $68,884.
Job market context in the South
Graduates of Mechanical Engineering programs in the South enter occupations such as Mechanical Engineers and Cost Estimators. The median annual wage across those occupations is $89,669, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $70,652. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 7.8% higher, with about 148 openings a year for every hundred graduates, more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, not the broader occupational wage figures shown here.