5 Best Online Mechanical Engineering Degrees

Prepare yourself for a rewarding and engaging career with one of the most diverse engineering disciplines. These are the 5 Best Online Mechanical Engineering Programs in the U.S.

If you’re someone who’s always curious about how things are made and wants to solve real-world problems, an online program in mechanical engineering could be for you.

The programs featured on this list are designed with the same rigor and depth as their traditional classroom counterparts. While some require students to briefly attend campus for labs and lectures, others are fully online. All are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. The convenience of online classes lets students work on their degrees on a schedule that best suits them.

The career outlook for mechanical engineers is outstanding. Given the breadth of the curriculum, students can look forward to careers in a range of fields. like aeronautics, mineral extraction, medicine, transportation, and beyond.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports a median income of $85,880 for mechanical engineers with more than 25,000 job openings expected in the next decade.

Methodology

Best College Reviews provides degree rankings, such as the Best Online Mechanical Engineering Degrees, from carefully researched data sets published from government and non-profit organizations across the United States. Five primary factors affect how we rank degrees:

25% – Student Satisfaction

30% – Earning Potential

15% – Retention Data

20% – Affordability

10% – Acceptance Rates

For an in-depth breakdown of how we calculate each ranking, check out our Methodology page.

#1 Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia
MET - Manufacturing Systems / Mechanical System Design Online
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Old Dominion University offers online students two courses of study in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program. Students interested in robotics and computer integrated manufacturing enroll in the Manufacturing Systems program. While the Mechanical Systems Design program prepares students to design, build, and install mechanical systems. Students are taught by the same professors as traditional programs. Accordingly, the program is synchronized with ODU’s regular academic calendar. Students who have already completed some college can take advantage of ODU’s transfer program. Degrees are awarded to students who complete a minimum of 30 credits at ODU. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.
Tuition: $10,050

#2 Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana
Online Degree In Mechanical Engineering Technology
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Undergraduate students who have completed some college can earn their degrees with Indiana State University’s Online Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. The program is aimed at transfer students who have earned an Associate of Science or have completed freshman and sophomore courses. ISU features two separate but integrated pathways: design and management. The design area is aimed at students interested in designing mechanical systems. The management area is focused on the people and resources related to manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The bulk of ISU’s Mechanical Engineering Program takes place online, with some courses requiring the student to attend ISU’s campus. Students can work with an ISU advisor to take required courses at a campus nearest them. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.
Tuition: $8,916

#3 The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering
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The University of Alabama offers students a convenient online education in Mechanical Engineering through the Bama By Distance program. UA’s online BS in Mechanical Engineering is an extremely versatile degree that prepares students for careers in a wide range of industries. UA Mechanical Engineering program is offered in a hybrid format, though most courses are taken online. Some visits to a physical campus are required. Conveniently, students can arrange to take those in-person classes on weekends at a UA campus closest to them. The hybrid format ensures students get the best quality education by combining the convenience of online education with face-to-face instruction. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.
Tuition: $10,780

#4 The University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
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Undergraduate students interested in problem-solving can earn their bachelor of science with the University of North Dakota’s hybrid online Mechanical Engineering (BS) program. With four areas of focus, UND’s program appeals to a wide range of students. Students select from Mechanical Design, Thermal Sciences, Manufacturing, and Materials, or Aerospace concentrations. UND’s program takes place both online and in the classroom, giving students both the convenience of online classes and face-to-face interactions with instructors. On-campus instruction includes lectures, labs, and simulations. UND’s innovative co-op program lets students work as entry-level engineers for major companies. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.
Tuition: $8,447

#5 The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Physics And Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Dual Degree
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Students at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte have the unique opportunity to earn two degrees with the Physics And Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Dual Degree program. Students complete all the requirements for a BS Mechanical Engineering degree along with 12 additional credit hours of upper division physics courses from the Department of Physics and Optical Science. Students who maintain a grade point average above 2.5 are eligible for UNC Charlotte’s co-op program. Engineering undergraduates are placed in companies and work as entry-level engineers while earning college credit. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.
Tuition: $6,832