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)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1.Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology63.15.473%4.56.815.64.734.4597.014%770730
2.Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University62.36.073%4.510.738.44.833.4317.112%735720
3.Mechanical Engineering, University of California-Berkeley55.15.261%4.58.514.84.541.8415.725%685645
4.Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor45.04.961%4.06.38.84.237.0483.657%680640
5.Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin41.25.761%3.67.828.03.716.2851.151%630605
5.Mechanical Engineering & Operations Rese, The University of Texas at Austin41.25.761%3.67.828.03.716.2851.151%630605
7.Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University41.04.772%3.912.026.94.011.4263.330%715695
8.Applied Mechanics, California Institute of Technology38.85.779%4.38.022.74.46.2182.320%775735
8.Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology38.85.779%4.38.022.74.46.2182.320%775735
10.Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign35.65.384%4.05.27.34.120.4534.368%675615
10.Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign35.65.384%4.05.27.34.120.4534.368%675615
12.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University34.75.781%4.16.920.04.28.0224.211%745735
13.Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland-College Park33.14.274%3.14.119.03.121.2581.549%650625
14.Engineering Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus32.85.766%3.66.217.33.719.0783.358%610580
14.Engineering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus32.85.766%3.66.217.33.719.0783.358%610580
14.Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus32.85.766%3.66.217.33.719.0783.358%610580
17.Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University-Main Campus32.75.278%4.05.97.54.023.0542.085%590555
18.Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University32.54.976%4.04.919.74.26.0311.627%710675
18.Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Cornell University32.54.976%4.04.919.74.26.0311.627%710675
20.Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus32.34.960%3.53.44.13.631.6573.067%690645
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
21.Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University29.04.776%2.815.561.32.97.065.735%705680
22.Mechanical Engineering (incl Indus Engr), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities27.25.275%3.97.812.74.113.0382.970%630600
23.Mechanical Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles26.45.451%3.59.025.23.815.0332.823%665630
24.MAE - Applied Mechanics & Mechan Engr, University of California-San Diego24.85.073%3.66.612.64.05.6390.939%655605
25.Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, University of California-Santa Barbara23.75.575%3.210.963.93.17.4223.953%600580
26.MAE - Mechanical & Aerospace Eng, University of California-San Diego22.65.073%3.66.612.64.02.4390.939%655605
27.Mechanical Engineering & Materials Sci, Duke University20.64.581%3.27.812.33.17.4133.122%725705
28.Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University19.94.776%3.55.04.83.68.2241.939%720660
29.Mechanical Engr and Materials Science, Rice University16.54.789%3.26.37.53.24.8155.025%725710
30.Mechanical Engineering, Texas A & M University14.34.959%3.34.33.83.216.4542.170%615585
31.Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University12.73.771%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.427*2.6*28%705700
32.Engineering Mechanics & Astronautics, University of Wisconsin-Madison12.25.274%3.33.01.73.515.2322.471%650615
32.Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison12.25.274%3.33.01.73.515.2322.471%650615
34.Mechanical Engineering, Yale University10.75.771%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.827*2.6*10%740740
35.Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University10.04.984%2.97.229.22.85.0192.751%610570
36.Mechanical Engr and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania9.84.955%3.36.612.83.45.4124.221%725705
37.Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University-Main Campus9.14.766%3.36.69.23.312.8302.973%580560
37.Welding Engineering, Ohio State University-Main Campus9.14.766%3.36.69.23.312.8302.973%580560
39.Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University in the City of New York7.94.948%3.15.717.33.26.8103.413%725715
40.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University at Raleigh7.44.962%3.24.16.33.31.6561.959%615580
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
41.Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester6.35.573%2.57.725.62.73.0201.746%670650
42.Engineering Mechanics - EM, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University6.24.767%3.24.75.73.212.4242.172%615585
42.Mechanical Engineering - ME, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University6.24.767%3.24.75.73.212.4242.172%615585
44.Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Eng, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute4.95.970%3.54.05.43.71.0342.978%685635
45.Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, University of California-Davis4.64.950%3.46.16.73.36.4372.255%615565
46.Mechanical Engineering, University of Central Florida3.94.685%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*5.227*2.6*62%575565
47.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame2.95.361%3.13.03.13.12.2241.032%700685
48.Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics, Lehigh University2.55.750%3.33.85.93.45.0353.141%680640
49.Mechanical Engineering, University of California-Irvine2.45.467%3.07.714.23.14.0222.752%620580
49.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California-Irvine2.45.467%3.07.714.23.14.0222.752%620580
51.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University2.35.767%3.42.72.43.57.8162.168%690650
51.Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago2.34.263%3.05.45.83.06.8292.658%605570
51.Mechanical Engineering, Washington State University2.34.271%3.06.610.22.91.6341.774%560545
54.Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder2.14.784%2.75.512.32.98.4172.288%600580
55.Mechanical Engineering, Washington University in St Louis1.94.953%2.85.19.42.83.8142.419%730710
56.Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics (MEM), Drexel University1.44.778%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*5.427*2.6*82%610580
57.Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla0.94.252%2.84.56.32.96.0301.963%665638
58.Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University0.84.280%2.61.93.62.46.4400.785%620590
58.Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Technological University0.84.280%2.61.93.62.46.4400.785%620590
58.Mechanical Engrg - Engrg Mechanics, Michigan Technological University0.84.280%2.61.93.62.46.4400.785%620590
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
61.Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University0.04.966%3.15.79.23.07.2231.376%585555
62.Mechanical Engineering, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus-0.54.786%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.627*2.6*72%570560
63.Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington-Seattle Campus-0.85.965%3.25.49.03.19.8223.267%610590
64.Mechanical Engineering, Florida State University-1.54.667%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*4.427*2.6*62%585575
65.Mechanical Engineering, University of Iowa-2.54.268%2.96.86.42.87.4153.184%600585
65.Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland-Baltimore County-2.53.956%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.827*2.6*71%620595
67.Mechanical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Charlotte-3.45.378%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*6.227*2.6*72%545525
68.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway-3.54.750%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*7.427*2.6*61%615580
68.Mechanics, Rutgers University-New Brunswick/Piscataway-3.54.750%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*7.427*2.6*61%615580
68.Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, SUNY at Buffalo-3.55.467%3.26.25.73.11.4253.156%595565
68.Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Lowell-3.55.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.027*2.6*41%588600
72.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Boston University-4.24.542%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*3.027*2.6*55%655645
73.Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton-4.47.294%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*3.227*2.6*79%595570
74.Mechanical Engineering, Santa Clara University-4.85.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.627*2.6*57%610595
75.Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, Western Michigan University-6.15.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.627*2.6*85%624*600*
76.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University-6.35.3*83%2.81.51.32.53.0162.838%640640
77.Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus-6.64.565%3.05.27.83.14.2202.691%560550
78.Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts-Amherst-6.84.070%2.65.05.92.74.0202.280%575565
79.Mechanical Engineering, CUNY Graduate School and University Center-7.65.466%*2.74.810.12.82.4161.760%*624*600*
80.Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware-7.74.748%3.25.110.12.94.6174.647%610595
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
80.Mechanical Engineering, Wayne State University-7.75.078%2.52.63.12.36.6242.763%624*600*
82.Mechanical Engineering, Florida International University-8.05.266%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.827*2.6*61%550555
83.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California-8.25.538%2.66.714.82.72.4111.927%690665
84.Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University-8.45.3*70%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.427*2.6*55%525515
85.Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa-8.85.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.827*2.6*65%570535
86.Mechanical Engineering, University of South Florida-9.26.666%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.027*2.6*28%565555
87.Mechanical Engr (including Nuclear Engr), Iowa State University-9.74.959%3.13.92.23.06.4163.490%620595
88.Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Marquette University-10.76.966%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.227*2.6*70%600595
89.Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University-11.14.138%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*3.027*2.6*71%575555
90.Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada-Reno-11.35.166%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.227*2.6*86%535525
91.Civil Engr. & Engr. Mechanics, University of Arizona-11.56.163%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*4.227*2.6*88%565560
92.Mechanical Engineering, University of Idaho-11.65.966%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.427*2.6*83%550550
93.Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute-11.75.983%2.41.51.92.12.2280.485%665615
94.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona-11.86.163%3.13.66.53.12.2261.688%565560
95.Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida-12.45.041%3.13.62.12.87.2122.857%640620
95.Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada-Las Vegas-12.45.3*66%*2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.227*2.6*81%515500
97.Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University-12.64.253%2.63.22.72.52.0241.469%615590
97.Mechanical Engineering, University of Kansas Main Campus-12.66.091%2.52.42.02.22.4141.069%624*600*
99.Mechanical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology-12.96.760%3.02.14.43.01.0181.363%675625
100.Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University-13.06.069%2.52.92.32.33.6123.835%695675
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
101.Mechanical Engineering, North Carolina A & T State University-13.14.262%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*4.027*2.6*83%450440
101.Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus-13.15.255%2.64.76.02.45.6143.049%625610
103.Mechanical Engineering - MEEN, University of Kentucky-13.34.260%2.44.76.42.35.0191.779%575565
104.Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston-14.06.175%3.12.22.43.12.6242.881%550520
105.Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University-15.38.063%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*2.027*2.6*78%620605
106.Mechanical Engineering (Watson School), SUNY at Binghamton-16.110.371%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*1.827*2.6*43%650615
107.Mechanical, Aerospace, & Manufacturing E, Syracuse University-17.15.189%1.91.81.02.00.6161.365%620595
108.Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Kansas State University-17.73.750%2.11.21.32.32.6160.848%624*600*
109.Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University Main Campus-18.14.567%2.52.31.12.33.8181.882%570550
109.Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico State University-Main Campus-18.16.263%2.9*4.7*9.7*2.9*0.627*2.6*81%500500
111.Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University-18.46.164%2.72.64.82.54.6241.488%565555
112.Mechanical, Industrial & Nuclear Engr, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus-18.85.563%2.93.22.52.74.2194.377%565545
113.Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus-19.34.843%2.83.14.62.44.6152.086%624*600*
114.Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah-20.87.755%2.73.86.72.76.6233.086%624*600*
115.Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Clarkson University-20.96.256%2.55.912.42.43.4193.586%595555
116.Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tennessee-22.06.975%2.41.21.52.23.2221.544%555555
117.Mechanical Engineering & App Mechanics, University of Rhode Island-23.16.983%2.52.82.52.62.2163.479%550535
118.Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University-23.34.036%*1.92.23.92.02.0190.847%625605
119.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri-Columbia-23.55.257%2.12.14.02.13.0221.883%595600
120.Mechanical Engineering, Southern Methodist University-23.93.750%2.11.01.12.04.0113.258%620610
Rank
 
Department
 
Yrs
(-4)
Job
(4)
UG Acc
(-2)
Adjust your weights →-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
121.Mechanical Engineering, University of South Carolina-Columbia-24.15.262%1.92.42.41.95.0171.167%580570
122.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville-24.37.980%2.13.78.41.95.4242.387%580575
123.Mechanical Engineering, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College-25.17.066%*1.78.716.81.82.4132.978%600575
124.Mechanical Engineering, University of Miami-25.94.245%*2.12.00.91.72.091.646%640620
125.Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology-26.34.760%1.41.11.11.81.8141.747%665610
126.Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut-30.45.940%2.12.02.12.32.6182.651%600585
127.Mechanical Engineering, Oregon State University-30.75.770%*2.52.61.42.11.483.490%550530
128.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus-31.45.277%2.42.52.82.23.61313.951%565555
129.Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont-32.85.3*66%*1.71.20.21.70.890.480%585580
130.Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic University-32.93.766%*1.51.00.31.41.463.069%630545
131.Mechanical Engineering, The University of Alabama-33.14.238%2.00.80.31.93.4120.774%565565
132.Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington-33.75.444%2.22.32.52.13.4192.679%545515
133.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology-Melbourne-35.05.3*66%*1.12.27.51.41.2100.582%605565
134.Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University-36.94.770%*1.40.50.01.52.6111.984%545530
135.Mechanical Engineering, Howard University-37.15.3*66%*1.42.51.51.40.683.447%565560
136.Mechanical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology-37.54.129%1.90.50.01.86.6122.871%595530
137.Mechanical Engineering, University of Tulsa-41.95.3*66%*0.61.60.00.81.290.875%630620
138.Mechanical Engineering, Catholic University of America-46.412.391%2.12.82.62.02.093.682%565580

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. Larger values are better. (IPEDS, 2001-2005)
Number of Faculty (# Fac)
Total number of faculty participating in the program. Your weight = 5. Larger values are better. (NRC, 1995)
Grad Student / Faculty Ratio (Stu / Fac)
The number of graduate students per faculty member. Your weight = -2. 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.