According to U.S. News & World Report, the highest-ranked mechanical engineering schools in the country can be found at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and the University of California in Berkeley. All three universities offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering; unique to MIT are its related programs in marine and ocean engineering.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA
School Highlight: According to U.S. News & World Report in 2015, MIT is ranked 1st in the nation for its Department of Mechanical Engineering. In 2015, the university also placed 1st for its undergraduate engineering programs, as designated by USN&WR.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at this private institution offers 3 undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering and ocean engineering, as well as a student-designed program. Graduate students can pursue Master of Science (M.S.). They may choose to pursue ocean engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, engineering management, or other areas. Additional programs include an M.S. in Naval Architecture and a Master of Engineering (M.Eng) in Manufacturing. A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and a Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) are also offered, as well as mechanical engineer and naval engineer degrees.
2. Stanford University in Stanford, CA
School Highlight: Stanford University is a private school that placed 2nd on U.S. News & World Report's list of national universities in 2015. USN&WR also ranked the university's Mechanical Engineering department 2nd among its peers for 2015.
The Mechanical Engineering department is separated into 5 groups or programs, including the Biomechanical Engineering (BME) Program, Design Group and Flow Physic and Computational Engineering (FPCE) Group. The Mechanics and Computation Group and Thermosciences Group are also part of the department. Students may pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), M.S. or Ph.D. in general mechanical engineering, product design and biomechanical engineering, among other fields of study. Graduate programs offer both full- and part-time study options.
3. University of California - Berkeley
School Highlight: The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California (UC) in Berkeley ranked 3rd in the nation for 2015, according to U.S. News & World Report. The university's undergraduate programs were ranked 4th by USN&WR for the 2015 school year.
