Compare 68 Mechanical Engineering. programs in the West. Average earnings: $83,971.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Mechanical Engineering tells a different story. Across 68 programs in the West, earnings range from $87,715 to $115,915—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Stanford's Mechanical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $115,915, but the real story is how California State University Maritime Academy claims second place at $101,325. With a 98.7% acceptance rate versus Stanford's 3.9%, Cal Maritime proves that accessible programs can deliver exceptional outcomes.
For students, Stanford achieves remarkable value despite its prestige—graduates borrow just $12,000 with a 1.8% payment burden, earning 'Excellent' affordability status. But for families considering parent loans, New Mexico State delivers a 5.8% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $115,915
Strong outcomes ($101,325) with 98.7% acceptance
1.8% payment burden | Excellent
5.8% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $115,915 | 54 | $12,000 | Excellent | $38,333 | Good |
| #2 | $101,325 | 44 | $24,965 | Excellent | $38,432 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $99,067 | 48 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Manageable |
| #4 | $98,455 | 177 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #5 | $97,701 | 138 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #6 | $97,466 | 308 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #7 | $95,510 | 193 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Excellent | |
| #8 | $94,289 | 179 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Good | |
| #9 | $93,001 | 96 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Good | |
| #10 | $91,140 | 306 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Good | |
| #11 | $91,131 | 109 | $17,095 | Excellent | $10,166 | Excellent | |
| #12 | $90,872 | 225 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Excellent | |
| #13 | $90,393 | 77 | $19,085 | Excellent | $17,000 | Excellent | |
| #14 | $90,072 | 88 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Good | |
| #15 | $89,685 | 102 | $16,552 | Excellent | $17,585 | Excellent | |
| #16 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $88,885 | 71 | $22,940 | Excellent | $56,559 | Challenging |
| #17 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $88,760 | 38 | $19,500 | Excellent | $58,361 | Manageable |
| #18 | $87,875 | 75 | $18,450 | Excellent | $13,000 | Excellent | |
| #19 | $87,847 | 226 | $13,872 | Excellent | $13,522 | Excellent | |
| #20 | $87,715 | 265 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Good | |
| #21 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $87,666 | 157 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #22 | $87,148 | 69 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,716 | Good | |
| #23 | $87,137 | 124 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #24 | $86,137 | 176 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good | |
| #25 | $85,474 | 193 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Excellent |
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 →
