Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 21 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 6,055 recent graduates. Graduates earn $65,912 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $64,585.

School choice matters significantly: University of Pennsylvania graduates earn $80,858 while Thomas Jefferson University graduates earn $53,358 — a $27,500 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in PA

$65,912

PA Avg. Earnings

$64,585

National Avg.

331

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Mechanical Engineering in Pennsylvania

Public Schools (9)

$65,561

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (12)

$66,198

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $637 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Mechanical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania, Ranked by Earnings

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$80,858

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $78,166

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 5.9%

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$75,921

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $68,038

Graduates: 58

Acceptance: 11.4%

Lafayette College

Easton, PA · Private

$65,486

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,784

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 31.5%

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private

$69,002

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $68,748

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 32.0%

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

$71,575

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,426

Graduates: 100

Acceptance: 25.1%

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private

$69,710

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $68,497

Graduates: 95

Acceptance: 29.3%

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$67,101

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,863

Graduates: 243

Acceptance: 77.5%

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public

$61,119

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,636

Graduates: 150

Acceptance: 82.9%

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA · Public

$66,728

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,419

Graduates: 240

Acceptance: 95.9%

#10

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$66,728

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,419

Graduates: 240

Acceptance: 49.7%

#11

York College of Pennsylvania

York, PA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,270

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 94.2%

#12

Widener University

Chester, PA · Private

$63,275

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $64,959

Graduates: 61

Acceptance: 84.0%

#13

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Erie, PA · Public

$65,913

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,376

Graduates: 773

Acceptance: 95.7%

#14

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton

Dunmore, PA · Public

$65,913

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,376

Graduates: 773

Acceptance: 94.9%

#15

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks

Reading, PA · Public

$65,913

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,376

Graduates: 773

Acceptance: 97.1%

#16

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown, PA · Public

$65,913

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,376

Graduates: 773

Acceptance: 96.4%

#17

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

$65,913

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,376

Graduates: 773

Acceptance: 54.2%

#18

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park, PA · Public

$65,913

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,376

Graduates: 773

Acceptance: 80.3%

#19

Gannon University

Erie, PA · Private

$58,673

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,757

Graduates: 28

Acceptance: 76.7%

#20

Wilkes University

Wilkes-Barre, PA · Private

$53,219

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,200

Graduates: 55

Acceptance: 91.5%

#21

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$53,358

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 86.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Mechanical Engineering in Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania ranks #1 for Mechanical Engineering in Pennsylvania with median graduate earnings of $80,858 within two years of graduation. There are 21 schools offering Mechanical Engineering programs in the state.

How much do Mechanical Engineering graduates earn in Pennsylvania?

Mechanical Engineering graduates in Pennsylvania earn an average of $65,912 within two years of graduation. This is 2% above the national average of $64,585 for this major.

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

University of Pennsylvania is the most selective Mechanical Engineering program in Pennsylvania with an acceptance rate of 5.9%. The average acceptance rate across Mechanical Engineering programs in the state is 66.3%.

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

In Pennsylvania, private Mechanical Engineering programs produce average earnings of $66,198 vs $65,561 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 9 public and 12 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Pennsylvania

Computer Science $73,789 Chemical Engineering $71,780 Business/Managerial Economics $71,719 Computer Engineering $71,107 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management $67,419 Architectural Engineering $66,081 Computer and Information Sciences, General $64,679 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,105

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Mechanical Engineering in Other States

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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.