2026 Best Manufacturing Engineering Schools
Looking for the best Manufacturing Engineering programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 89 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Manufacturing Engineering Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Northwestern University to be the best Manufacturing Engineering school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $16,616. Read more about Northwestern University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #2 on this year's Manufacturing Engineering ranking in the United States. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
A rank of #3 makes National University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $30,426. Read more about National University
Out of the 89 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Grand Valley State University landed the #4 spot. Located in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $26,000. Read more about Grand Valley State University
The strong Manufacturing Engineering programs at Ferris State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Big Rapids, MI. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $18,500. Read more about Ferris State University
Dunwoody College Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Manufacturing Engineering schools. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Dunwoody College Of Technology graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,477. Students borrow a median of $34,996 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. See the full Dunwoody College Of Technology profile
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Rochester, NY, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Read more about Rochester Institute Of Technology
University Of St Thomas Minnesota did well this year, earning the #10 position. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,398. Graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Western Washington University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. Western Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Graduates carry a median of $21,425 in student loans. Read more about Western Washington University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #12 among Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $19,137. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Get the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus report
Brigham Young University Provo did well this year, earning the #15 position. Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit school based in Provo, UT. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $11,000. See the full Brigham Young University Provo profile
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Manufacturing Engineering schools. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $16,097. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Worcester Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $60,765. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $26,259 in debt. Read the full report on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Rolla, MO. Missouri University Of Science And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Missouri University Of Science And Technology Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $25,187 in debt. Get the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology report
Bradley University did well this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Peoria, IL. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Bradley University Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Bradley University
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $25,153. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
Miami University Oxford did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Oxford, OH, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Miami University Oxford Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $24,177 in debt. Read the full report on Miami University Oxford
California State Polytechnic University Pomona did well this year, earning the #24 position. Set in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $17,083. More on California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Lehigh University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $23,008. Read more about Lehigh University
University Of Wisconsin Stout did well this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in Menomonie, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $29,814. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stout
Southern Methodist University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. More on Southern Methodist University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Manufacturing Engineering Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Oregon State University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Oregon State University is a public school based in Corvallis, OR. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Oregon State University Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $21,457 in debt. Read the full report on Oregon State University
Boston University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Manufacturing Engineering schools. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $25,232. More on Boston University
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Dearborn, MI, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. University Of Michigan Dearborn Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $26,516 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Dearborn
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates 73% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. New Jersey Institute Of Technology Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $24,755 in debt. Read more about New Jersey Institute Of Technology
University Of California Irvine came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
Saint Cloud State University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Manufacturing Engineering schools. Set in Saint Cloud, MN, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Read more about Saint Cloud State University
Rowan University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Manufacturing Engineering schools. This public school is set in Glassboro, NJ. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Rowan University Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $24,488 in debt. Read the full report on Rowan University
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Based in Dayton, OH, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $25,836. Read the full report on Wright State University Main Campus
San Diego State University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $16,417. Get the full San Diego State University report
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne did well this year, earning the #37 position. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public school based in Fort Wayne, IN. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne posts a six-year graduation rate of 36%. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $24,119. Get the full Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne report
University Of Connecticut landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. University Of Connecticut posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $23,637. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Illinois Institute Of Technology Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $26,774 in debt. Read more about Illinois Institute Of Technology
University Of Kentucky ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Manufacturing Engineering schools. University Of Kentucky is a public school based in Lexington, KY. University Of Kentucky posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $24,094. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
Arizona State University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Manufacturing Engineering schools. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $24,253. See the full Arizona State University profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #43 in this year's ranking. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $23,530. Read more about University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Georgia Southern University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Located in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Georgia Southern University graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. More on Georgia Southern University
Wayne State University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Wayne State University is a public school based in Detroit, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Read more about Wayne State University
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Manufacturing Engineering schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a public school based in Edinburg, TX. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Read the full report on The University Of Texas Pan American
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Texas Tech University Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $24,271 in debt. Read more about Texas Tech University
Wichita State University landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Located in Wichita, KS, Wichita State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Wichita State University Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $24,262 in debt. Read the full report on Wichita State University
Youngstown State University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Youngstown, OH, Youngstown State University is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Get the full Youngstown State University report
California State University Northridge ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Manufacturing Engineering schools. Set in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $16,202. See the full California State University Northridge profile
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #51 spot in the United States this year. Set in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas State University San Marcos
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #52 among Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Based in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $23,312. Get the full The University Of Texas At San Antonio report
The University Of Texas At El Paso did well this year, earning the #53 position. Based in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $19,819. Get the full The University Of Texas At El Paso report
Best Manufacturing Engineering Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Manufacturing Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Manufacturing Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Manufacturing Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Manufacturing Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Manufacturing Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Manufacturing Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Manufacturing Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 89 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).