2023 Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Mechanical Engineering
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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student-teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.
Do you want to acquire a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best bachelor’s in engineering programs.
What institution did we omit from this list? Leave your suggestions in the comment section below.
- Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stanford University is the nation’s premier institution; it is rated among the top five best institutions in the world. Though all its academic programs are prominent, its technology and engineering departments are among the strongest. Stanford offers learners with both theoretical and practical training in mechanical engineering. This multi-disciplinary degree program brings together concepts in biomedicine and more.
- MIT, Cambridge, MA
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is the world’s best polytechnic institution. There are several ways to study mechanical engineering at MIT. The first is a structured degree program that trains learners for a career directly in mechanical engineering. The second enables learners to combine the degree program with another degree program in a complementary field. The third degree program is in mechanical and ocean engineering. Whichever path you take, core classes include mechanics and materials; dynamics and control; thermal fluids engineering; and differential equations.
- Brown University, Providence, RI
Brown University’s engineering degree program is well established, having been designed in the mid-nineteenth century as the first such degree program in an Ivy League institution. Through Brown’s mechanical engineering degree program, learners will take classes on a range of subject areas from magnetism to vibrations. Brown’s areas of concentration include aerospace applications; biomechanics; energy conversion and fluid and thermal systems; and mechanical systems: dynamics, materials, and design.
- University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
At Berkeley, you have the unique chance to earn a five-year BS/MS degree in mechanical engineering. Berkeley also introduces learners to societal problems involving transportation and the environment. Graduates exit the program knowing how to solve complex issues in a variety areas, including acoustics, cryogenics, bioengineering, plasma dynamics, and much more.
- Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Georgia Tech offers degree opportunities primarily in the sciences and technologies, but also in design, business, and the liberal arts. Georgia Tech’s mechanical engineering degree couples development and professional practice with engineering foundations. Georgia Tech is rated among the top 10 best public schools in the nation. It is also credited as having some of the highest research activities of any institution.
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
WashU has a BS degree program in mechanical engineering and materials science that emphasizes the core principles of force, materials, and motion. At Washington, learners work directly with faculty on research in many areas, from energy conservation to biomechanics. Classes include mechanical engineering design and build, computer-aided design with Autocad, mechanics and materials science lab, and thermodynamics.
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
At the University of Michigan, learners can earn a BS degree in mechanical engineering and also have the chance to study abroad, collaborate in exciting research projects, and participate in co-ops. At Michigan, learners take various technical, core, and advanced engineering classes, including solid mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and behavior of materials.
- Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT) is one of the nation’s oldest technological institutions and the first college to focus solely on mechanical engineering education. Around 6,200 learners are currently enrolled at SIT. A mechanical engineering degree will learners to pursue a career in diverse areas, such as biomedical, chemical, nanotechnology, and aerospace industries. SIT has many recognitions and rankings to its credit; it is among the top 100 best institutions in the nation. The Princeton Review rated SIT best for career placement.
- Northwestern University, Evanston, NJ
Northwestern learners collaborate directly with professors on cutting-edge research projects while earning their mechanical engineering degree. Northwestern also encourages learners to intern with local and national organizations and to participate in one of the school’s engineering clubs.
- Duke University, Durham, NC
Duke University is a private research institution known for its Medical Center. Approximately 50 bachelor’s degrees are offered at Duke, including its four renowned engineering majors. For learners who want to earn a BS and MS in mechanical engineering simultaneously, Duke University has a five-year completion degree program. It is comparable to the traditional degree but expedited and comprised of advanced classes. Learners who want to earn a BS degree may want to consider adding a concentration. Duke has two such licensure programs: Aerospace Engineering and Energy and the Environment.
- United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is a federal service institution. Earning a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering degree at this school will be one of the best decisions a learner can make. While learners take classes such as thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, they will also be required to finish the following: fundamentals of seamanship, basic navigation, advanced navigation, and junior officer practicum.
- Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Lehigh’s BS in mechanical engineering degree program trains learners to work in manufacturing, energy transport, and design of machinery. Lehigh learners take classes in math, physics, and across all the engineering sciences. Classes include fluid mechanics, dynamics, manufacturing, and fundamentals of electrical engineering. Lehigh has graduated several Pulitzer Prize winners, Fulbright Fellows, Medal of Science winners, and National Academy of Science members.
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a premier research institution; more than 7,000 learners are enrolled in RPI’s six colleges. The bachelor of science (BS) in mechanical engineering incorporates coursework with lab work and capstone projects. Learners graduate with a deep comprehension of product realization and how to solve international issues through pioneering design. Classes at Rensselaer include beginning programming for engineers, engineering dynamics, thermal and fluid engineering, and introduction to engineering design.
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private research institution, which offers degrees in the technical arts and applied sciences. Approximately 4,000 learners attend WPI. WPI has both a traditional BS in mechanical engineering degree and one that can be combined with a master’s degree. Whichever route a learner takes, the degree program offers plenty of course flexibility for learners to pursue their passions and career goals. Additionally, learners can specialize through one of seven concentrations, which include: robotics, mechanical design, materials science and engineering, thermal-fluid engineering.