Best Online Mechanical Engineering Degree Programs

Mechanical engineers help design nearly every piece of technology you use in your day-to-day life. Often specializing in a subfield, mechanical engineers can explore various opportunities for professional advancement. Most entry-level jobs in this field require a mechanical engineering degree.

An online mechanical engineering degree offers more benefits than just career prep. Top online programs have many advantages compared to on-campus programs, such as asynchronous courses. You may also pay a lower tuition rate than your on-campus peers.

Mechanical engineers work on technological and mechanical products throughout the development life cycle. These professionals use their physics and math expertise to ensure that what they create meets all required specifications, such as safety and performance standards.

A mechanical engineering degree online program trains you in subjects like systems dynamics, advanced mathematical methods for engineers, and applied experimental statistics.

Foundational classes prepare you to branch out into one of mechanical engineering’s many subfields, such as biotechnology, control systems, and robotics.

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Prospective mechanical engineering majors should only consider colleges that are accredited. Institutional accreditation means a school meets set standards for academic quality.

Many graduate schools and employers only recognize degrees earned from accredited schools. What’s more, you can only qualify for federal financial aid if your school is accredited.

In addition to institutional accreditation, you should look for programmatic accreditation when applying to mechanical engineering programs.

The best online mechanical engineering degree programs will hold ABET accreditation. This indicates that the program meets quality standards to prepare students for STEM careers.

The best mechanical engineering programs feature comprehensive curricula emphasizing technical skills and knowledge. You’ll take general education courses in addition to major-specific coursework.

Engineering courses introduce key mechanical engineering topics. You can choose a specialization or take elective courses in a subfield of mechanical engineering as well.

Here are some common courses you can expect to take for your mechanical engineering degree:

Most people who earn a mechanical engineering degree go on to become mechanical engineers. These professionals earned an impressive median annual salary of $102,320 in May 2024, according to the BLS.

How much you make as a mechanical engineer will vary depending on your experience and location. For example, mechanical engineers in New Mexico earned a median salary of $141,490 in 2024, whereas those in Arkansas earned just $78,570.

Job responsibilities for mechanical engineers typically include investigating engineering problems, designing prototypes, and analyzing test results. These engineers develop products like cars, HVAC systems, and robots.

You can advance your career by earning a master’s in mechanical engineering or by getting licensed. A professional engineering license prepares you for leadership and advanced technical roles and allows you to sell engineering services to the public.

You’ll need an undergraduate mechanical engineering degree to qualify for most entry-level mechanical engineering positions. Coursework lets you explore different mechanical engineering subfields.

You can specialize even further with a master’s in mechanical engineering. A master’s degree can qualify you for a promotion, raise, or leadership position.

If you wish to become an engineering professor or lead a large organization, you’ll want to get a doctorate in mechanical engineering.

Both on-campus and online mechanical engineering degrees require you to take many science, technology, and advanced math classes. You may find this major challenging if you have previously struggled with these kinds of classes.

In that case, concentrate your school search on programs offering a lot of academic support, such as virtual tutors.

A typical bachelor’s in mechanical engineering degree requires four years of full-time study. You may be able to graduate sooner if you took Advanced Placement exams in high school. Other options include transferring credits and enrolling in an accelerated program.

Mechanical engineering programs at the master’s level last around two years. You may want to consider a part-time program if you plan to work while in school.

Most mechanical engineering Ph.D. programs take 3-5 years.

The typical mechanical engineer made more than double the median annual salary for all U.S. jobs in 2024, according to the BLS. However, many factors can impact your salary potential, including your experience, location, and specialization.

For example, mechanical engineers specializing in scientific research and development services earned a median annual salary of over $123,080 in 2024. In contrast, those who worked in machinery manufacturing made a median salary of $96,690.

Some states also offer higher wages for mechanical engineers than others. You can expect to make more as a mechanical engineer in states like New Mexico and California than in Kentucky and Montana, for instance.

An on-campus or online mechanical engineering degree opens up many career paths, such as clinical technologist, project manager, and technology specialist. Other related jobs include entrepreneur and project lead.

Consider your career goals when comparing online mechanical engineering degree programs. Some mechanical engineering jobs require you to specialize in a specific area. Admissions counselors can answer your questions and help you make an informed decision.