Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in New York

New York has 19 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,885 recent graduates. Graduates earn $65,471 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $64,630.

School choice matters significantly: SUNY Maritime College graduates earn $87,973 while New York University graduates earn $54,053 — a $33,920 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NY

$65,471

NY Avg. Earnings

$64,630

National Avg.

297

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Mechanical Engineering in New York

Public Schools (5)

$66,615

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (14)

$65,062

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in New York produce comparable or higher early earnings for Mechanical Engineering graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Mechanical Engineering Schools in New York, Ranked by Earnings

SUNY Maritime College

Throggs Neck, NY · Public

$87,973

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,875

Graduates: 87

Acceptance: 78.5%

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$74,687

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $72,114

Graduates: 57

Acceptance: 8.2%

New York Institute of Technology

Old Westbury, NY · Private

$70,456

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,573

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 78.1%

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private

$69,338

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $69,826

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 4.2%

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

$69,218

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,544

Graduates: 164

Acceptance: 71.4%

CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public

$68,618

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,296

Graduates: 108

Acceptance: 58.1%

Union College

Schenectady, NY · Private

$67,812

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,637

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 43.8%

Clarkson University

Potsdam, NY · Private

$67,802

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $66,506

Graduates: 289

Acceptance: 77.2%

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Private

$66,989

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,925

Graduates: 83

Acceptance: 41.7%

#10

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private

$66,798

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,319

Graduates: 232

Acceptance: 58.5%

#11

Hofstra University

Hempstead, NY · Private

$63,005

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,472

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 70.6%

#12

Manhattan University

Riverdale, NY · Private

$62,260

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,446

Graduates: 70

Acceptance: 78.5%

#13

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY · Private

$61,516

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,906

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 35.9%

#14

Alfred University

Alfred, NY · Private

$60,523

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,346

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 48.3%

#15

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public

$60,523

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,148

Graduates: 83

Acceptance: 49.0%

#16

Binghamton University

Vestal, NY · Public

$59,726

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,683

Graduates: 90

Acceptance: 37.7%

#17

Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

Flushing, NY · Private

$56,415

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,297

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: N/A

#18

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public

$56,234

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,042

Graduates: 253

Acceptance: 69.3%

#19

New York University

New York, NY · Private

$54,053

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,972

Graduates: 84

Acceptance: 9.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Mechanical Engineering in New York?

SUNY Maritime College ranks #1 for Mechanical Engineering in New York with median graduate earnings of $87,973 within two years of graduation. There are 19 schools offering Mechanical Engineering programs in the state.

How much do Mechanical Engineering graduates earn in New York?

Mechanical Engineering graduates in New York earn an average of $65,471 within two years of graduation. This is 1% above the national average of $64,630 for this major.

What is the hardest Mechanical Engineering school to get into in New York?

Columbia University in the City of New York is the most selective Mechanical Engineering program in New York with an acceptance rate of 4.2%. The average acceptance rate across Mechanical Engineering programs in the state is 51.0%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Mechanical Engineering in New York?

In New York, private Mechanical Engineering programs produce average earnings of $65,062 vs $66,615 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 5 public and 14 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in New York

Computer Science $71,535 Computer Engineering $71,263 Industrial Engineering $69,459 Construction Management $67,560 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $66,924 Materials Engineering $66,884 Civil Engineering $65,927 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $65,117

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.