2024 Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in California

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Mechanical Engineering programs in California. We looked at 33 programs to put our Mechanical Engineering rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Mechanical Engineering in California. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Mechanical Engineering is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Mechanical Engineering: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Mechanical Engineering in California. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in California. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Mechanical Engineering degree in California.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Mechanical Engineering Majors in California

What is the best university for majoring in Mechanical Engineering in California?

California State University Maritime Academy is the best university for majoring in Mechanical Engineering based on earnings data. On average, graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earned an average of $85,206 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Mechanical Engineering in California?

California State University-Fresno is the cheapest university for majoring in Mechanical Engineering based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,311 to attend California State University-Fresno.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Mechanical Engineering in California?

University of Southern California (USC) is the most expensive university for majoring in Mechanical Engineering based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $50,277 to attend University of Southern California (USC).

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#1 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $85,206
Average Debt $28,031
Program Size 72
California State University Maritime Academy
4 Year
Vallejo, CA
California State University Maritime Academy, located in Vallejo, CA has 72 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $85,206.
Acceptance Rate 66%
Undergraduates 251 students
Tuition $6,558
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#2 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $83,177
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 52
California Institute of Technology
4 Year
Pasadena, CA
California Institute of Technology, located in Pasadena, CA has 52 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $83,177.
Acceptance Rate 9%
Undergraduates 556 students
Tuition $45,390
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#3 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $78,343
Average Debt $18,300
Program Size 161
Stanford University
4 Year
Stanford, CA
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Stanford University, located in Stanford, CA has 161 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $78,343.
Acceptance Rate 5%
Undergraduates 4,779 students
Tuition $46,320
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#4 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $76,711
Average Debt $20,166
Program Size 492
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
4 Year
San Luis Obispo, CA
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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, located in San Luis Obispo, CA has 492 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $76,711.
Acceptance Rate 31%
Undergraduates 5,066 students
Tuition $9,001
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#5 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $76,146
Average Debt $14,348
Program Size 341
UC Berkeley
4 Year
Berkeley, CA
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UC Berkeley , located in Berkeley, CA has 341 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $76,146.
Acceptance Rate 17%
Undergraduates 11,486 students
Tuition $13,431
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#6 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $76,146
Average Debt $14,348
Program Size 341
University of California-Berkeley
4 Year
Berkeley, CA
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University of California-Berkeley, located in Berkeley, CA has 341 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $76,146.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 11,486 students
Tuition N/A
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#7 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $74,576
Average Debt $23,000
Program Size 139
Santa Clara University (SCU)
4 Year
Santa Clara, CA
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Santa Clara University (SCU), located in Santa Clara, CA has 139 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $74,576.
Acceptance Rate 49%
Undergraduates 2,466 students
Tuition $45,300
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#8 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $74,244
Average Debt $16,652
Program Size 203
University of Southern California (USC)
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, CA has 203 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $74,244.
Acceptance Rate 18%
Undergraduates 14,672 students
Tuition $50,277
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#9 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $72,022
Average Debt $17,209
Program Size 321
San Jose State University
4 Year
San Jose, CA
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San Jose State University, located in San Jose, CA has 321 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $72,022.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 9,128 students
Tuition $7,378
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#10 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $70,456
Average Debt $20,895
Program Size 133
University of San Diego
4 Year
San Diego, CA
University of San Diego, located in San Diego, CA has 133 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $70,456.
Acceptance Rate 52%
Undergraduates 2,400 students
Tuition $44,586
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#11 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $68,965
Average Debt $19,000
Program Size 265
University of California-Los Angeles
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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University of California-Los Angeles, located in Los Angeles, CA has 265 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $68,965.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 13,156 students
Tuition N/A
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#12 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $68,965
Average Debt $19,000
Program Size 265
UCLA
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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UCLA, located in Los Angeles, CA has 265 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $68,965.
Acceptance Rate 17%
Undergraduates 13,156 students
Tuition $12,763
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#13 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $68,821
Average Debt $21,263
Program Size 438
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
4 Year
Pomona, CA
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, located in Pomona, CA has 438 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $68,821.
Acceptance Rate 39%
Undergraduates 5,596 students
Tuition $7,016
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#14 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $68,592
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 87
Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
4 Year
Los Angeles, CA
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Loyola Marymount University (LMU), located in Los Angeles, CA has 87 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $68,592.
Acceptance Rate 51%
Undergraduates 2,530 students
Tuition $42,795
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#15 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $68,499
Average Debt $25,391
Program Size 63
California Baptist University (CBU)
4 Year
Riverside, CA
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California Baptist University (CBU), located in Riverside, CA has 63 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $68,499.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 2,348 students
Tuition $30,384
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