Ranking of Mechanical Engineering Graduate Programs

The rankings below have been generated just for you using the priorities you set on this page. You can change your priorities or get rankings for a different field.


How to Read Your Ranking

  • Programs are ranked by their score, a weighted sum of the items you chose. (Details)
  • Descriptions of each item are listed at the bottom of the page. (You can also see a description by mousing over items at the top of the table.)
  • Your weight for each item is shown beneath the item at the top of the table. Weights range in magnitude from 0 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
  • A positive weight means that you prefer larger values for the item. A negative weight means that you prefer smaller values for the item.
  • Green values are at least one standard deviation better than the mean. Red values are at least one standard deviation worse than the mean.
  • Data sources can be found below.

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Your Ranking of Mechanical Engineering Graduate Schools

Click on a program to see a detailed profile
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1.Applied Mechanics, California Institute of Technology44.65.779%4.38.022.74.46.2182.320%775735
1.Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology44.65.779%4.38.022.74.46.2182.320%775735
3.Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University33.94.776%2.815.561.32.97.065.735%705680
4.Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University33.74.772%3.912.026.94.011.4263.330%715695
5.Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University32.94.976%4.04.919.74.26.0311.627%710675
5.Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Cornell University32.94.976%4.04.919.74.26.0311.627%710675
7.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University32.55.781%4.16.920.04.28.0224.211%745735
8.Mechanical Engineering & Materials Sci, Duke University26.04.581%3.27.812.33.17.4133.122%725705
9.MAE - Mechanical & Aerospace Eng, University of California-San Diego25.05.073%3.66.612.64.02.4390.939%655605
10.MAE - Applied Mechanics & Mechan Engr, University of California-San Diego22.85.073%3.66.612.64.05.6390.939%655605
10.Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, University of California-Santa Barbara22.85.575%3.210.963.93.17.4223.953%600580
12.Mechanical Engr and Materials Science, Rice University20.94.789%3.26.37.53.24.8155.025%725710
13.Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University20.64.776%3.55.04.83.68.2241.939%720660
14.Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University19.93.771%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.427*2.6*28%705700
15.Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester16.55.573%2.57.725.62.73.0201.746%670650
16.Mechanical Engr and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania16.44.955%3.36.612.83.45.4124.221%725705
17.Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University16.14.984%2.97.229.22.85.0192.751%610570
18.Mechanical Engineering, Yale University16.05.771%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.827*2.6*10%740740
19.Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University15.96.073%4.510.738.44.833.4317.112%735720
20.Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University in the City of New York15.14.948%3.15.717.33.26.8103.413%725715
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
21.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame13.35.361%3.13.03.13.12.2241.032%700685
22.Mechanical Engineering, Washington University in St Louis12.94.953%2.85.19.42.83.8142.419%730710
23.Mechanical Engineering (incl Indus Engr), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities12.25.275%3.97.812.74.113.0382.970%630600
24.Mechanical Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles11.55.451%3.59.025.23.815.0332.823%665630
25.Mechanical Engineering, University of California-Irvine8.35.467%3.07.714.23.14.0222.752%620580
25.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California-Irvine8.35.467%3.07.714.23.14.0222.752%620580
27.Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Eng, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute8.15.970%3.54.05.43.71.0342.978%685635
28.Mechanical Engineering, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus7.74.786%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.627*2.6*72%570560
29.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University7.45.767%3.42.72.43.57.8162.168%690650
30.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California7.15.538%2.66.714.82.72.4111.927%690665
31.Mechanical Engineering, Washington State University6.94.271%3.06.610.22.91.6341.774%560545
32.Mechanical Engineering, University of Central Florida5.94.685%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*5.227*2.6*62%575565
33.Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder5.64.784%2.75.512.32.98.4172.288%600580
34.Mechanical Engineering, CUNY Graduate School and University Center5.45.466%*2.74.810.12.82.4161.760%*624*600*
35.Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Lowell4.25.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.027*2.6*41%588600
36.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University3.95.3*83%2.81.51.32.53.0162.838%640640
37.Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University3.64.966%3.15.79.23.07.2231.376%585555
37.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, SUNY at Buffalo3.65.467%3.26.25.73.11.4253.156%595565
39.Mechanical Engineering, Santa Clara University3.55.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.627*2.6*57%610595
40.Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics (MEM), Drexel University3.24.778%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*5.427*2.6*82%610580
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
41.Mechanical Engineering, University of Kansas Main Campus2.86.091%2.52.42.02.22.4141.069%624*600*
41.Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland-Baltimore County2.83.956%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.827*2.6*71%620595
43.Mechanical Engineering, University of Iowa1.84.268%2.96.86.42.87.4153.184%600585
44.Mechanical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology1.76.760%3.02.14.43.01.0181.363%675625
45.Mechanical Engineering, Florida State University1.64.667%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*4.427*2.6*62%585575
46.Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla1.34.252%2.84.56.32.96.0301.963%665638
47.Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Amherst1.14.070%2.65.05.92.74.0202.280%575565
48.Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago1.04.263%3.05.45.83.06.8292.658%605570
49.Engineering Mechanics - EM, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University0.94.767%3.24.75.73.212.4242.172%615585
49.Mechanical Engineering - ME, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University0.94.767%3.24.75.73.212.4242.172%615585
51.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Boston University0.84.542%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*3.027*2.6*55%655645
51.Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology0.85.473%4.56.815.64.734.4597.014%770730
51.Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, Western Michigan University0.85.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.627*2.6*85%624*600*
54.Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus0.34.565%3.05.27.83.14.2202.691%560550
54.Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin0.35.761%3.67.828.03.716.2851.151%630605
54.Mechanical Engineering & Operations Rese, The University of Texas at Austin0.35.761%3.67.828.03.716.2851.151%630605
54.Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, University of California-Davis0.34.950%3.46.16.73.36.4372.255%615565
54.Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton0.37.294%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*3.227*2.6*79%595570
59.Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign0.25.384%4.05.27.34.120.4534.368%675615
59.Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign0.25.384%4.05.27.34.120.4534.368%675615
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
61.Mechanical Engineering, Florida International University0.05.266%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.827*2.6*61%550555
61.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University at Raleigh0.04.962%3.24.16.33.31.6561.959%615580
63.Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics, Lehigh University-0.55.750%3.33.85.93.45.0353.141%680640
64.Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa-0.85.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.827*2.6*65%570535
65.Mechanical, Aerospace, & Manufacturing E, Syracuse University-0.95.189%1.91.81.02.00.6161.365%620595
66.Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland-College Park-1.04.274%3.14.119.03.121.2581.549%650625
67.Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University-1.25.3*70%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.427*2.6*55%525515
68.Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University-Main Campus-1.44.766%3.36.69.23.312.8302.973%580560
68.Welding Engineering, Ohio State University-Main Campus-1.44.766%3.36.69.23.312.8302.973%580560
70.Mechanical Engineering, University of South Florida-1.56.666%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.027*2.6*28%565555
71.Engineering Mechanics & Astronautics, University of Wisconsin-Madison-1.75.274%3.33.01.73.515.2322.471%650615
71.Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison-1.75.274%3.33.01.73.515.2322.471%650615
73.Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University-2.44.280%2.61.93.62.46.4400.785%620590
73.Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Technological University-2.44.280%2.61.93.62.46.4400.785%620590
73.Mechanical Engrg - Engrg Mechanics, Michigan Technological University-2.44.280%2.61.93.62.46.4400.785%620590
73.Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute-2.45.983%2.41.51.92.12.2280.485%665615
77.Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University-Main Campus-2.65.278%4.05.97.54.023.0542.085%590555
78.Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University-2.74.253%2.63.22.72.52.0241.469%615590
78.Mechanical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Charlotte-2.75.378%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*6.227*2.6*72%545525
80.Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Kansas State University-3.33.750%2.11.21.32.32.6160.848%624*600*
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
80.Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University-3.36.069%2.52.92.32.33.6123.835%695675
82.Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware-3.44.748%3.25.110.12.94.6174.647%610595
83.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona-3.66.163%3.13.66.53.12.2261.688%565560
83.Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington-Seattle Campus-3.65.965%3.25.49.03.19.8223.267%610590
85.Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada-Reno-3.95.166%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.227*2.6*86%535525
86.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway-4.44.750%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*7.427*2.6*61%615580
86.Mechanics, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway-4.44.750%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*7.427*2.6*61%615580
88.Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Marquette University-4.66.966%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.227*2.6*70%600595
89.Mechanical Engr (including Nuclear Engr), Iowa State University-5.14.959%3.13.92.23.06.4163.490%620595
90.Mechanical Engineering - MEEN, University of Kentucky-5.34.260%2.44.76.42.35.0191.779%575565
91.Mechanical Engineering, University of California-Berkeley-5.45.261%4.58.514.84.541.8415.725%685645
92.Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida-5.75.041%3.13.62.12.87.2122.857%640620
92.Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus-5.75.255%2.64.76.02.45.6143.049%625610
94.Mechanical Engineering, University of Idaho-5.85.966%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.427*2.6*83%550550
95.Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University-6.14.138%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*3.027*2.6*71%575555
96.Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada-Las Vegas-6.35.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.227*2.6*81%515500
96.Mechanical Engineering, Wayne State University-6.35.078%2.52.63.12.36.6242.763%624*600*
98.Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston-7.46.175%3.12.22.43.12.6242.881%550520
99.Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University Main Campus-8.14.567%2.52.31.12.33.8181.882%570550
99.Civil Engr. & Engr. Mechanics, University of Arizona-8.16.163%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*4.227*2.6*88%565560
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
101.Mechanical Engineering, University of Miami-8.44.245%*2.12.00.91.72.091.646%640620
102.Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor-8.94.961%4.06.38.84.237.0483.657%680640
103.Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University-9.08.063%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.027*2.6*78%620605
104.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus-9.24.843%2.83.14.62.44.6152.086%624*600*
105.Mechanical Engineering, North Carolina A & T State University-9.54.262%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*4.027*2.6*83%450440
105.Mechanical Engineering (Watson School), SUNY at Binghamton-9.510.371%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.827*2.6*43%650615
107.Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University-9.74.036%*1.92.23.92.02.0190.847%625605
108.Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico State University-Main Campus-9.96.263%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.627*2.6*81%500500
109.Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology-11.34.760%1.41.11.11.81.8141.747%665610
110.Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont-11.55.3*66%*1.71.20.21.70.890.480%585580
111.Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University-11.96.164%2.72.64.82.54.6241.488%565555
112.Engineering Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus-12.25.766%3.66.217.33.719.0783.358%610580
112.Engineering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus-12.25.766%3.66.217.33.719.0783.358%610580
112.Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus-12.25.766%3.66.217.33.719.0783.358%610580
115.Mechanical Engineering, Texas A & M University-12.34.959%3.34.33.83.216.4542.170%615585
116.Mechanical Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College-12.67.066%*1.78.716.81.82.4132.978%600575
117.Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tennessee-12.86.975%2.41.21.52.23.2221.544%555555
118.Mechanical Engineering & App Mechanics, University of Rhode Island-12.96.983%2.52.82.52.62.2163.479%550535
119.Mechanical Engineering, Southern Methodist University-13.13.750%2.11.01.12.04.0113.258%620610
120.Mechanical Engineering, University of South Carolina-Columbia-14.05.262%1.92.42.41.95.0171.167%580570
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
# Fac
(-4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
121.Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Clarkson University-14.16.256%2.55.912.42.43.4193.586%595555
122.Mechanical, Industrial & Nuclear Engr, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus-14.45.563%2.93.22.52.74.2194.377%565545
123.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia-14.65.257%2.12.14.02.13.0221.883%595600
124.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology-Melbourne-15.05.3*66%*1.12.27.51.41.2100.582%605565
125.Mechanical Engineering, Oregon State University-15.15.770%*2.52.61.42.11.483.490%550530
126.Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic University-15.63.766%*1.51.00.31.41.463.069%630545
127.Mechanical Engineering, The University of Alabama-17.54.238%2.00.80.31.93.4120.774%565565
128.Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus-17.94.960%3.53.44.13.631.6573.067%690645
129.Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah-19.57.755%2.73.86.72.76.6233.086%624*600*
130.Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut-20.35.940%2.12.02.12.32.6182.651%600585
131.Mechanical Engineering, Howard University-20.55.3*66%*1.42.51.51.40.683.447%565560
132.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville-20.67.980%2.13.78.41.95.4242.387%580575
133.Mechanical Engineering, University of Tulsa-21.85.3*66%*0.61.60.00.81.290.875%630620
134.Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University-21.94.770%*1.40.50.01.52.6111.984%545530
135.Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington-25.25.444%2.22.32.52.13.4192.679%545515
136.Mechanical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology-29.94.129%1.90.50.01.86.6122.871%595530
137.Mechanical Engineering, Catholic University of America-32.512.391%2.12.82.62.02.093.682%565580
138.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus-40.55.277%2.42.52.82.23.61313.951%565555

Item Descriptions

Your Score
Your customized program score is a weighted sum of points for each item. The weights were selected on this page. For an item with importance weight W, a program receives W × S points for being S standard deviations above average. Larger values are better.
Years to Degree (Yrs)
Median time lapse from entering graduate school at the doctorate-granting institution to receipt of doctorate in years. Note that time spent obtaining a master's degree at a different institution is not counted. Your weight = -4. Smaller values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Placement Rate (Job)
Percentage of doctorate recipients from the program with definite plans at graduation (either a job or a postdoctoral position). Your weight = 4. Larger values are better. (SED, 2000-2004)
Educational Effectiveness (Ed Eff)
Program effectiveness in educating research scholars and scientists, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not Effective" and 5 denoting "Extremely Effective." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Publications per Faculty Member (Pub / Fac)
The ratio of the number of program publications in the period 1988-1992 to the number of program faculty. Your weight = 3. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Citations per Faculty Member (Cite / Fac)
The ratio of the number of citations of program publications in the period 1988-1992 to the number of program faculty. Your weight = 3. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Faculty Quality (Fac Qual)
Scholarly quality of program faculty, 1993. Scale of 0 to 5, with 0 denoting "Not sufficient for doctoral education" and 5 denoting "Distinguished." Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Doctorates Granted per Year (Deg / Yr)
The average number of doctorates granted by the program per year between 2001 and 2005. Your weight = -5. Smaller values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Number of Faculty (# Fac)
Total number of faculty participating in the program. Your weight = -4. Smaller values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Grad Student / Faculty Ratio (Stu / Fac)
The number of graduate students per faculty member. Your weight = -5. Smaller values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (UG Acc)
The percentage of applicants the institution accepts into its undergraduate programs. Your weight = -2. Smaller values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Math SAT Score (SAT-M)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile mathematics SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Verbal SAT Score (SAT-V)
The average of the 25th and 75th percentile verbal SAT scores for undergraduates at the institution. Your weight = 2. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2005)
Missing Values
Missing values have been replaced with the average value for all programs in the field.

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
IPEDS is an annual, comprehensive set of surveys of all colleges and universities in the United States. The surveys are conducted by the National Center for Education StatisticsLearn more
National Research Council
The National Research Council conducts assessments of doctoral programs in the United States every 10 to 15 years). The data we use are from the most recent assessment, the 1995 study Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States: Continuity and Change. Learn more about the NRC study's methods here; order a copy here. The next NRC assessment is scheduled for release in Summer 2009.  Learn more
Survey of Earned Doctorates
The NSF/NIH/NEH/USED/USDA/NASA Survey of Earned Doctorates is an annual survey of all new recipients of doctorates from US universities at graduation. The average of the response rates for the 2000–2004 surveys was 92%.  Learn more
Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering
The Survey is an annual assessment of the number and characteristics of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in science, engineering, and health-related fields. It is conducted by the National Science FoundationLearn more
* Value is missing. The value shown is based on the average for other programs in the same field. Learn more.
Data are for all Mechanical Engineering degree recipients from the institution and may include graduates from more than one program.
The graduate school rankings on PhDs.org have been made possible by
grants from The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and The Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
The Center for Science and the Media served as the project's fiscal sponsor.