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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#16 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $68,052
Average Debt $19,988
Program Size 462
San Diego State University (SDSU)
4 Year
San Diego, CA
Video Rating
San Diego State University (SDSU), located in San Diego, CA has 462 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $68,052.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 8,923 students
Tuition $6,976
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#17 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $67,846
Average Debt $20,366
Program Size 236
University of California-San Diego (UC San Diego)
4 Year
La Jolla, CA
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University of California-San Diego (UC San Diego), located in La Jolla, CA has 236 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $67,846.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 9,523 students
Tuition $13,530
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#18 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $67,507
Average Debt $14,707
Program Size 334
University of California-Davis (UCD)
4 Year
Davis, CA
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University of California-Davis (UCD), located in Davis, CA has 334 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $67,507.
Acceptance Rate 38%
Undergraduates 9,630 students
Tuition $13,951
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#19 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $67,420
Average Debt $19,946
Program Size 160
San Francisco State University
4 Year
San Francisco, CA
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San Francisco State University, located in San Francisco, CA has 160 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $67,420.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 7,146 students
Tuition $6,476
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#20 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $67,180
Average Debt $25,500
Program Size 120
California State University-Chico
4 Year
Chico, CA
California State University-Chico, located in Chico, CA has 120 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $67,180.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 4,093 students
Tuition $7,022
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#21 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $66,756
Average Debt $21,196
Program Size 359
California State University-Northridge
4 Year
Northridge, CA
California State University-Northridge, located in Northridge, CA has 359 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $66,756.
Acceptance Rate 46%
Undergraduates 10,247 students
Tuition $6,569
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#22 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $66,262
Average Debt $19,100
Program Size 138
UC Santa Barbara
4 Year
Santa Barbara, CA
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UC Santa Barbara , located in Santa Barbara, CA has 138 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $66,262.
Acceptance Rate 33%
Undergraduates 6,169 students
Tuition $13,968
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#23 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $66,262
Average Debt $19,100
Program Size 138
University of California-Santa Barbara
4 Year
Santa Barbara, CA
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N/A
University of California-Santa Barbara, located in Santa Barbara, CA has 138 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $66,262.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 6,169 students
Tuition N/A
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#24 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $65,029
Average Debt $19,823
Program Size 424
California State University-Long Beach (CSULB)
4 Year
Long Beach, CA
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California State University-Long Beach (CSULB), located in Long Beach, CA has 424 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $65,029.
Acceptance Rate 34%
Undergraduates 10,260 students
Tuition $6,452
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#25 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $63,799
Average Debt $19,073
Program Size 314
California State University-Fullerton (CSUF)
4 Year
Fullerton, CA
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California State University-Fullerton (CSUF), located in Fullerton, CA has 314 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $63,799.
Acceptance Rate 42%
Undergraduates 10,530 students
Tuition $6,437
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#26 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $63,005
Average Debt $18,584
Program Size 388
California State University-Sacramento
4 Year
Sacramento, CA
California State University-Sacramento, located in Sacramento, CA has 388 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $63,005.
Acceptance Rate 67%
Undergraduates 7,636 students
Tuition $6,872
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#27 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $62,734
Average Debt $17,250
Program Size 142
California State University-Fresno
4 Year
Fresno, CA
California State University-Fresno, located in Fresno, CA has 142 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $62,734.
Acceptance Rate 52%
Undergraduates 5,276 students
Tuition $6,311
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#28 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $61,594
Average Debt $16,676
Program Size 484
UC Irvine
4 Year
Irvine, CA
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UC Irvine , located in Irvine, CA has 484 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $61,594.
Acceptance Rate 39%
Undergraduates 8,695 students
Tuition $13,252
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#29 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $61,594
Average Debt $16,676
Program Size 484
University of California-Irvine
4 Year
Irvine, CA
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University of California-Irvine, located in Irvine, CA has 484 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $61,594.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 8,695 students
Tuition N/A
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#30 Best College for Mechanical Engineering
Average Salary $61,516
Average Debt $27,450
Program Size 68
University of the Pacific (UOP)
4 Year
Stockton, CA
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N/A
University of the Pacific (UOP), located in Stockton, CA has 68 students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. On average, graduates earn $61,516.
Acceptance Rate 65%
Undergraduates 1,771 students
Tuition $42,934
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