Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Texas

Texas has 22 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 2,455 recent graduates. Graduates earn $64,486 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $64,630.

School choice matters significantly: Texas A&M University-College Station graduates earn $73,697 while The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earn $52,107 — a $21,590 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in TX

$64,486

TX Avg. Earnings

$64,630

National Avg.

297

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Mechanical Engineering in Texas

Public Schools (18)

$63,718

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (4)

$67,938

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $4,220 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Mechanical Engineering Schools in Texas, Ranked by Earnings

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$73,697

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $71,020

Graduates: 186

Acceptance: 63.2%

Lamar University

Beaumont, TX · Public

$73,446

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $71,107

Graduates: 57

Acceptance: 85.7%

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

$73,035

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $68,406

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 61.2%

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

$71,959

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $73,222

Graduates: 206

Acceptance: 29.1%

University of Houston

Houston, TX · Public

$71,202

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $68,022

Graduates: 168

Acceptance: 69.5%

Prairie View A & M University

Prairie View, TX · Public

$69,757

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $73,650

Graduates: 65

Acceptance: 75.3%

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX · Public

$69,732

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,596

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 84.5%

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public

$69,596

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,609

Graduates: 286

Acceptance: 70.9%

Rice University

Houston, TX · Private

$68,219

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,400

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 7.9%

#10

Baylor University

Waco, TX · Private

$66,897

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,921

Graduates: 102

Acceptance: 51.0%

#11

The University of Texas at Arlington

Arlington, TX · Public

$64,824

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,839

Graduates: 121

Acceptance: 81.3%

#12

The University of Texas at Tyler

Tyler, TX · Public

$64,706

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,933

Graduates: 101

Acceptance: 91.5%

#13

LeTourneau University

Longview, TX · Private

$63,600

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,759

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 40.7%

#14

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Kingsville, TX · Public

$62,012

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,910

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 92.3%

#15

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

$60,125

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,816

Graduates: 149

Acceptance: 65.5%

#16

The University of Texas at San Antonio

San Antonio, TX · Public

$59,485

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,677

Graduates: 220

Acceptance: 88.5%

#17

The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX · Public

$58,943

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,748

Graduates: 147

Acceptance: 99.9%

#18

University of North Texas

Denton, TX · Public

$58,866

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,897

Graduates: 170

Acceptance: 72.5%

#19

West Texas A & M University

Canyon, TX · Public

$58,402

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,323

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 97.4%

#20

Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX · Public

$55,964

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,529

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 87.4%

#21

Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX · Public

$52,107

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,083

Graduates: 81

Acceptance: 89.5%

#22

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public

$52,107

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,430

Graduates: 123

Acceptance: 84.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Mechanical Engineering in Texas?

Texas A&M University-College Station ranks #1 for Mechanical Engineering in Texas with median graduate earnings of $73,697 within two years of graduation. There are 22 schools offering Mechanical Engineering programs in the state.

How much do Mechanical Engineering graduates earn in Texas?

Mechanical Engineering graduates in Texas earn an average of $64,486 within two years of graduation. This is near the national average of $64,630 for this major.

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

Rice University is the most selective Mechanical Engineering program in Texas with an acceptance rate of 7.9%. The average acceptance rate across Mechanical Engineering programs in the state is 72.2%.

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

In Texas, private Mechanical Engineering programs produce average earnings of $67,938 vs $63,718 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 18 public and 4 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Texas

Chemical Engineering $70,069 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $68,562 Computer Engineering $65,273 Industrial Engineering $64,917 Computer Science $64,839 Construction Engineering Technologies $63,237 Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians $62,062 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $61,898

All colleges in Texas →

Mechanical Engineering in Other States

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