Mechanical Engineering in the USA: Universities, Demand, Job opportunities.
Mechanical Engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines which offers various opportunities in areas like robotics, aerospace, automotive engineering, biomechanics, and more. Mechanical Engineering is the study of objects and systems in motion. Mechanical Engineers design, develop, build and test. They play key roles in a wide range of industries including computers, electronics, automotive, biotechnology, microelectromechanical systems, energy conversion, robotics and automation, and manufacturing.
- Mean Entry-Level Salary (Pay scale): $69, 148
- Mean Annual Salary (BLS): $105, 220
- Top 10 Percent Salary (BLS): $157, 470
Studying mechanical engineering abroad is a widely preferred choice of as international students look for excellent curriculum, research facilities, and many other professional involvements.
Colleges in the United States strive to offer one of the world’s best curriculum, state-of-the-art research facilities, and make sure that the students receive top-notch academic experience.
In this article, we will tell you why you should pursue mechanical engineering in the United States and give you a clear idea of the requirements, top universities, sessions, mandatory fees, and cost of attendance.
THE BASICS
Course Duration:
| Course name | Duration |
|---|---|
|
Associate Degree |
2 years |
|
Undergraduate degree |
4 years |
|
Post-graduate degree |
Usually, 2 years but varies for different programs or person to person. |
|
PhD |
Varies from person to person |
Sessions/Intakes:
Fall: Fall starts in August/September.
Spring: Spring starts in January.
Summer: Summer starts in May.
Minimum English proficiency requirements:
IELTS: 6.00. Some university may set up minimum requirements on all sections of IELTS.
TOEFL: 75
PTE: 60
Duolingo: 110
Tuition fees: $25, 000-$65, 000
Subjects in mechanical engineering
Mathematics
Physics
Design
Applied mechanics
Machine dynamics
Engineering drawing
Thermodynamics
Statics
Fluid mechanics
Manufacturing technology
Control system
Biomechanics
Materials Science
Robotics
Industrial management
Thermal engineering
Heat transfer
Pneumatic engineering
Energy audit management
Application of mechanical engineering
International student eligibility to pursue mechanical engineering in the USA
Academics:
- Undergraduate degree: Must have taken math, chemistry and physics in high school (Grade 9-12).
- Post-graduate degree: A completed undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering or a related specialization with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
English proficiency requirements:
- IELTS: Minimum 6.00
- TOEFL: Minimum 75
- PTE: Minimum 60
- Duolingo: Minimum 110
- Tuition fees: $25, 000-$65, 000 (Depends on universities, courses, and course credits)
Visa requirements:
All international students require an F-1 visa for studying in USA.
MRV application fee for F-1 visa: 185$.
SEVIS Fee: 350$
Note: These requirements differ with every program, university, and location. Check the respective university website offering mechanical engineering courses to understand the requirements and take correct steps in your application process.
Documents required for international students:
After you fulfill the basic eligibility requirements, the university will ask for certain documents to move forward with your application. Below are some common documents requested by educational institutions:
- Academic transcripts
- National Leaving Exam Transcripts
- Standardized test scores such as SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT (Self-reported or official)
- Letter of Recommendations (1 or 2 core subject-teacher and 1 counselor for undergraduate students)
- Essays or Statement of purpose
- Financial documents: Bank statements, Certification of finances etc.
Top mechanical engineering universities in the USA
| University | World Ranking | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|
| Yale University | 23 | 5% |
| MIT | 1 | 4% |
| Stanford University | 6 | 4% |
| Columbia University | 34 | 4% |
| Harvard University | 4 | 3% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 11 | 7% |
| Vanderbilt University | 248 | 7% |
| Johns Hopkins University | 32 | 7% |
| Northwestern University | 50 | 7% |
| Duke University | 61 | 6% |
| California Institute of Technology | 10 | 3% |
| Rice University | 141 | 9% |
| UC Los Angeles | 42 | 9% |
| Cornell University | 16 | 7% |
| University of Michigan- Ann Harbor | 44 | 18% |
| Princeton University | 22 | 6% |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 58 | 11% |
| Boston University | 108 | 14% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 114 | 17% |
| University of Virginia | 297 | 19% |
| University of Southern California | 125 | 12% |
| Northeastern University | 396 | 7% |
| University of Florida | 215 | 23% |
| New York University | 43 | 12% |
| UC Berkeley | 12 | 11% |
Top employers in the USA for mechanical engineering graduates (As of 2025)
- NASA
- S Department of the Navy
- Apple
- General Electric (GE)
- Boeing Company
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Microsoft
- Ford Motor Company
- S Department of Energy
- The Walt Disney Company
- Samsung