Compare 7 Mechanical Engineering. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $78,928.
Mechanical Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $73,138 and $86,778—a $14K spread that demonstrates how program-level factors drive outcomes in Virginia. Across 7 ranked programs, the variation tracks program quality rather than overall institutional reputation.
University Of Virginia-Main Campus leads with graduates earning $86,778, followed closely by Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University at $85,281. The $1,500 gap between these programs is minimal, while Old Dominion University at $80,370 rounds out the top three—all delivering strong outcomes above the state average of $78,928.
High earnings align with excellent affordability across Virginia's top programs. University Of Virginia-Main Campus graduates face just a 3.7% payment burden on $17,500 in student debt, earning an 'Excellent' affordability rating. Virginia Tech students borrow $21,500 with a 4.7% burden—still excellent—while maintaining nearly identical earning potential at $85,281.
Highest program earnings: $86,778
Strong outcomes with 57% acceptance
3.7% payment burden | Excellent
10.8% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $86,778 | 94 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Good | |
| #2 | $85,281 | 407 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $80,370 | 145 | $24,000 | Excellent | $18,866 | Good |
| #4 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $76,807 | 85 | $24,500 | Excellent | $16,398 | Good |
| #5 | $76,554 | 104 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,585 | Manageable | |
| #6 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $73,570 | 76 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Manageable |
| #7 | $73,138 | 23 | $22,996 | Excellent | $36,278 | 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 →
