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Earning A Mechanical Engineering Degree: Everything You Should Know

Editorial Note: They earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect their editors' opinions or evaluations.

If you enjoy designing and building things, and you have a knack for finding out how something works and how to Excellerate it, a mechanical engineering career might be a good fit for you.

Many mechanical engineering jobs require a mechanical engineering degree. Earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering qualifies you for a wide selection of high-paying, challenging careers.

This article explores the bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. They cover everything from admission requirements and accreditation information to courses and specializations, helping you shape your education trajectory so you can achieve the career you want. Read on to learn more about mechanical engineering degrees.

A bachelor of science in mechanical engineering equips you to research and analyze problems and apply engineering skills to design and create solutions. This degree builds the decision-making, technical and communication skills needed in various industries, such as robotics, electricity and manufacturing.

A bachelor’s in mechanical engineering explores computer-aided design, engineering design processes, prototyping, testing and validating, finite-element analysis, mechanical design, energy transfer, and sensors and control devices. It delivers the skills you need to design and build mechanical components, systems and devices.

Earning a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering typically requires about 120 to 128 credits and takes around four years to complete. If you plan to earn your master’s in mechanical engineering, some universities offer blended bachelor’s and master’s programs, allowing students to earn both degrees simultaneously on an accelerated timeline.

While admission requirements vary by program, you should expect to submit the following when you apply for a mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree program:

Most mechanical engineering majors choose a specialization or concentration as part of their degree requirements. While concentration offerings vary by program, below are a few popular options:

An energy concentration assesses the role of mechanical systems in energy production and use. Subjects covered include advanced energy solutions, aircraft and spacecraft propulsion, internal combustion engines, powertrain control, environmental law and environmental values in public policy.

This concentration builds students’ leadership and research skills for positions in the manufacturing industry. It explores advanced mechatronics for manufacturing, metals manufacturing, production and inventory control, material handling systems and global manufacturing.

Students concentrating in HVAC and refrigeration prepare for careers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. This concentration covers advanced control systems, fundamentals of HVAC systems, refrigeration principles and design, building heating and cooling loads, and HVAC air and water distribution system design.

A mechatronics concentration explores the design and manufacturing processes for smart machines with electronic and mechanical components. Students explore mechatronics, intermediate dynamics, manufacturing automation, robotics, automation of industrial systems and advanced control systems.

This concentration prepares learners to work in the robotics field, exploring the ideation, design, development and control of robots. It covers computational linear algebra, dynamics and vibrations, mechatronic systems design, analytical and computational dynamics, robot kinematics and dynamics, autonomous vehicles and neural engineering.

Below they list several courses you might encounter as a mechanical engineering major. Since each degree program determines its own curriculum, you should check with your school for detailed information about required coursework.

This course covers the analysis and design of machine components, force analysis, rotor dynamics, kinematic synthesis, statistical issues, energy methods, gyrodynamics, and stresses in flywheels and thick cylinders.

A robotics introductory course takes a systems engineering perspective on robotics. It covers manipulators, actuators, sensors, end effectors, programming of manipulators, pattern recognition, dynamics and computer vision.

This course teaches concepts related to operating a nuclear electric generation station. The curriculum explores electrical science, mechanical science, digital process control systems, reactor water chemistry and civil engineering for power plant engineers.

This course introduces assembly language programming and microcontrollers. Students learn about interfacing techniques for microcontroller components and applications, such as timers, A/D conversion, D/A conversion, pulse-width modulation and interrupts.

ABET, previously known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, is a nonprofit organization that provides accreditation for engineering, engineering technology, and applied and natural science degree programs. ABET has accredited around 500 mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree programs worldwide, about 400 of which are located in the United States.

Before conferring accreditation, ABET thoroughly evaluates a program to ensure it meets the rigorous academic standards necessary to set up students for success as mechanical engineers. Accreditation depends on several criteria, including a program’s educational objectives, student performance and outcomes, curriculum requirements and faculty qualifications.

When you choose an ABET-accredited program, you know you are choosing a high-quality, well-respected program. ABET accreditation also signifies to employers that you’re properly educated and qualified for their job openings. Since many employers, including multinational corporations, require their employees to graduate from accredited programs, this opens up many job opportunities for you.

Moreover, if you plan to become a licensed professional engineer, your state may require you to hold a degree from an ABET-accredited program.

You can qualify for many jobs with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, including the popular options they explore below. If you have a particular career path in mind, choose a degree program offering a relevant concentration to ensure your coursework aligns with your goals.

We sourced salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Median Annual Salary: $96,310Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degreeJob Overview: Mechanical engineers research, design and build mechanical and thermal devices, such as sensors, engines, tools and machines. They diagnose and analyze problems and create solutions by developing or updating designs or systems. Mechanical engineers also test prototypes and monitor manufacturing processes.

Median Annual Salary: $96,350Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degreeJob Overview: Industrial engineers create systems to address inefficiency and wastefulness and increase production in industrial environments. They examine engineering specifications, production schedules, process flows and other data to identify problems and develop plans and procedures to solve them. Their duties typically include creating systems to integrate personnel, machines, energy and materials in the manufacturing process.

Median Annual Salary: $61,990Minimum Required Education: Associate degree or related postsecondary training, bachelor’s degree may be preferredJob Overview: Mechanical engineering technologists work alongside mechanical engineers to design, create and test tools, machines, engines and other manufacturing devices. They may analyze design drawings and specifications, recommend design changes, assemble industrial equipment and mechanical parts, or create business estimates.

Median Annual Salary: $100,140Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degreeJob Overview: Materials engineers develop and test materials used in various products and devices. This role involves analyzing the properties of composites, metals, plastics, nanomaterials and other materials to ensure they meet the chemical, mechanical and electrical requirements to develop products. Materials engineers also monitor materials and identify and solve problems related to product failure.

Median Annual Salary: $122,480Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degreeJob Overview: Nuclear engineers research and identify problems related to nuclear energy and waste disposal. They design and create nuclear batteries, reactor cores, radiation shielding and related instruments. Nuclear engineers may work in the medical field, military defense, space exploration, utility power generation, or research and regulation.

Median Annual Salary: $60,570Minimum Required Education: Associate degree or related postsecondary training, bachelor’s degree may be preferredJob Overview: Electro-mechanical and mechatronic technologists operate and test unmanned, robotic, automated and electromechanical equipment by incorporating principles of electrical, electronic and mechanical technology. They read blueprints and schematics, operate metalworking machinery, repair hydraulic and pneumatic assemblies, analyze test results, and use soldering and precision-measuring equipment.

If you want to work in the mechanical engineering field, earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering qualifies you for many relevant career paths. If you plan to become a licensed professional engineer, ensure your degree is accredited by ABET.

Mechanical engineers have the potential to earn a high salary. The median annual salary for mechanical engineers is $100,140, according to the BLS.