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Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in North Carolina

North Carolina has 4 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 524 recent graduates. Graduates in North Carolina earn $69,197 on average within two years — 7% above the national average of $64,585, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Duke University graduates earn $80,964 while North Carolina A & T State University graduates earn $68,666 — a $12,298 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

4
Schools in NC
$69,197
NC Avg. Earnings
$64,585
National Avg.
331
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Mechanical Engineering in North Carolina

Public Schools (3)
$65,275
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (1)
$80,964
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $15,689 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Mechanical Engineering Schools in North Carolina, Ranked by Earnings

#1
Duke University logo

Duke University

Durham, NC · Private

$80,964
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $71,314
Graduates: 38
Acceptance: 6.8%
#2
University of North Carolina at Charlotte logo

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

$62,666
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $63,768
Graduates: 241
Acceptance: 80.2%
#3
North Carolina State University at Raleigh logo

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public

$64,493
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $64,232
Graduates: 187
Acceptance: 39.9%
#4
North Carolina A & T State University logo

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, NC · Public

$68,666
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $66,629
Graduates: 58
Acceptance: 46.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Mechanical Engineering in North Carolina?
Duke University ranks #1 for Mechanical Engineering in North Carolina with median graduate earnings of $80,964 within two years of graduation. There are 4 schools offering Mechanical Engineering programs in the state.
How much do Mechanical Engineering graduates earn in North Carolina?
Mechanical Engineering graduates in North Carolina earn an average of $69,197 within two years of graduation. This is 7% above the national average of $64,585 for this major.
What is the hardest Mechanical Engineering school to get into in North Carolina?
Duke University is the most selective Mechanical Engineering program in North Carolina with an acceptance rate of 6.8%. The average acceptance rate across Mechanical Engineering programs in the state is 43.3%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Mechanical Engineering in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, private Mechanical Engineering programs produce average earnings of $80,964 vs $65,275 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 3 public and 1 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in North Carolina

Computer Engineering $79,319 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $65,539 Chemical Engineering $65,411 Computer Science $60,095 Construction Engineering Technologies $58,582 Civil Engineering $56,103 Computer Programming $55,943 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $50,726
All colleges in North Carolina →

Mechanical Engineering in Other States

California Texas Pennsylvania New York Ohio Michigan Florida Massachusetts Indiana Connecticut Washington Tennessee View All →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.