Best colleges for Mechanical Engineering in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, Santa Clara University leads: its Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median $122,111 four years after finishing, against the field's $92,135 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Clara University | $122,111 | +$29,976 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley | $119,371 | +$27,236 |
| 3 | Stanford University | $117,072 | +$24,937 |
| 4 | University of California-Los Angeles | $108,875 | +$16,740 |
| 5 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $106,750 | +$14,615 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Mechanical Engineering?
By graduate earnings, Santa Clara University — its Mechanical Engineering bachelor's graduates earn a median $122,111 four years out, the highest of the 5 California programs in the federal file.
What do Mechanical Engineering graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $106,750 to $122,111. The field's national median is $92,135.
Is a Mechanical Engineering degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $43,775/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.