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What Makes a Great Mechanical Engineering College?

When comparing mechanical engineering colleges, look for programs that are ABET-accredited, taught by faculty with experience in the field and connected to top industry employers. The best colleges offer strong graduate outcomes, top rankings and engineering labs with modern technology that prepare students for real-world innovation.

Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology—based in Queens adjacent to LaGuardia Airport—offers these advantages along with a proven track record of student success. 

What Makes Vaughn’s Mechanical Engineering Degree Unique

1. ABET Accreditation

Vaughn’s mechanical engineering bachelor of science degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. In addition, Vaughn’s mechanical engineering technology bachelor of science is degree is also accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical Engineering Technology and Similarly Named Programs.

ABET accreditation is important to students because it means the program’s curriculum, faculty, and resources meet the profession’s expectations for graduates. This accreditation is crucial because it is often a prerequisite for professional licensure, highly valued by employers and can be necessary for graduate school admission.

2. Expert Faculty and Small Class Sizes 

With a 16-to-1 student-faculty ratio, Vaughn provides a personalized learning environment where professors know students by name and can provide one-on-one support when needed. Vaughn’s engineering professors have experience working in the fields they teach, which gives students a competitive advantage when entering the job market. Vaughn is well known and has maintained a stellar reputation in the industries it serves. Vaughn maintains an engineering and technology advisory board of seasoned industry professionals who provide guidance and ensure the curriculum meets current workforce demands.

3. Deep Industry Connections and Strong Career Services Support 

Vaughn has relationships and partnerships with top industry employers providing students with unique opportunities for site visits, internships and mentorship which ultimately lead to job opportunities. Vaughn graduates land at companies such as Lockheed Martin, Tesla, SpaceX, GE Aerospace, Sikorsky and NASA. 

Vaughn’s career services department is always open, offering resume writing assistance, interview support, career fairs, employer engagement days and career preparation courses/workshops covering everything from setting up a LinkedIn profile to becoming an effective communicator. The career services team can help students achieve their career goals, wherever they are in the process.

4. Strong Student Outcomes 

Vaughn students graduate with jobs–in fact, 97% of graduates are employed or continue their education within one year, 77% in their chosen professions.* In addition to the College’s upward mobility rankings, it was also ranked in the top 4% of colleges with the highest ROI for students from under-resourced communities by a study completed by Georgetown University’s Center and Education and the Workforce. Learn more about the ROI of a Vaughn education. 

5. Cutting-edge Engineering Labs 

Vaughn offers hands-on learning through advanced laboratory spaces that support all engineering and technology degree programs, which include:

  • Electronics Lab
  • Energy Conversion and Smart Grid Power Systems Lab
  • Thermo-Fluid Lab
  • Mechanical Testing and Evaluation Lab
  • Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machine and Manufacturing Lab
  • 3D Prototyping Innovation Center
  • Automation Laboratories

6. Top Rankings 

US News & World Report engineering 2026 badgeVaughn College is consistently recognized (for 12 consecutive years and running) by US News & World Report as a top regional college in the Northeast and a top college for social mobility. In 2026, Vaughn was also recognized for its engineering programs. In addition, Vaughn continues to be acknowledged as a top college in the nation for upward mobility and in New York City. 

7. Clubs and Activities 

The Vaughn student experience is truly unlike what you’ll find at other colleges. There are many ways students can engage in the community and participate in activities, clubs and professional organizations that support academic studies, build networks and help prepare for careers. 

Professional or academic-based student organizations:

  • Robotics Club
  • NASA Rovers Club
  • Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Club

Student-run organizations that have a national affiliation with a professional group:

  • Engineers without Borders
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 
  • National Society of Black Engineers
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
  • Society of Women Engineers

Why Earn a Mechanical Engineering Degree?

A mechanical engineering degree opens doors to one of the most versatile and in-demand career fields. Graduates design and develop systems and technologies that power everything from aircraft and drones to renewable energy and manufacturing.

High Demand for Mechanical Engineers

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for mechanical engineers is expected to grow by about 9% through 2034 creating roughly 18,100 openings each year. This rate exceeds growth in other engineering disciplines and is significantly higher than the national average. 

Automation, robotics and advanced manufacturing systems continue to grow in complexity, increasing the need for skilled mechanical engineers across industries including biomedical technology, automotive engineering and sustainability.

READ MORE: Top 5 Careers You Can Choose as a Mechanical Engineer

Excellent Salary

Mechanical engineers are well compensated for the challenging careers they’ve selected. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the 2024 median base salary for mechanical engineers is $102,320 per year and according to Lightcast it is $109,000 in New York City. US News & World Report notes that the top 25% of mechanical engineers in the US make over $126,000. Mechanical engineering is also ranked number two in best engineering jobs and number 27 out of the top 100 careers.

At the Forefront of Technical Innovation 

Mechanical engineers drive innovation across multiple sectors. Current trends include automation, waste reduction through technologies such as kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) and advancements in environmental conservation, including carbon capture.

Vaughn’s mechanical engineering curriculum combines theory with hands-on learning using SolidWorks and Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application (CATIA) tools used by engineers worldwide.

What Courses are Needed for a Mechanical Engineering Degree?

The program includes foundational engineering and advanced technical courses such as:

  • Elements of Machine Design: Principal stresses, failure theory, fatigue and dynamic loading
  • DC/AC Circuits: Sinusoidal analysis of resistive, inductive and capacitive circuits, including transformers
  • Engineering Mechanics: Forces, vectors and rigid-body equilibrium
  • Finite Element Analysis: One-dimensional modeling for truss, rod and heat-transfer problems
  • Introduction to Robotics: Robot construction and programming using the VEX platform
  • Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, ideal gases, energy cycles and entropy

Current and prospective students can view our full course catalog for a mechanical engineering degree to plan their schedule. Our undergraduate mechanical engineering program requires a combined total of 133 lab and course credits.

All of these advantages, combined with Vaughn’s industry-driven programs, personalized instruction and strong career outcomes, make it one of the top mechanical engineering colleges for students who want a futureproof education.

Take the Next Step

Explore how Vaughn can help you earn a mechanical engineering degree that leads to high-demand careers and lifelong success. 

To see Vaughn’s engineering labs in action, visit vaughn.edu, email or call 1-866-6VAUGHN to schedule a campus tour. We can’t wait to hear from you! 

 

*Outcomes include data within one year of graduation for graduates who reported via survey. There were a total of 289 reported graduates in 2024. 230 reported an outcome for an 80% response rate. The 2024 graduate class includes September 2023, December 2023 and May 2024 graduates.

Investing in your education is the first step toward a successful career. For engineering majors the field is wide open, as there are job opportunities across many industries. Here, we explore the many careers you can pursue with a mechanical engineering degree. But first, let’s discuss what mechanical engineers actually do.

The role of mechanical engineers

Look around you. Nearly every machine or process you see has been influenced in some way by a mechanical engineer. As one of the broadest engineering disciplines, mechanical engineers perform tasks that range from the planning and designing of tools, engines and mechanically functioning equipment to the generation, distribution and use of energy—and so much more. Even your refrigerator and microwave are possible thanks to mechanical engineers. (Who knew?) Today’s industry trends have opened up a world of exciting career opportunities. Here are our picks of the top five mechanical engineering careers:

1. Biomedical engineer

If you’ve ever had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or a dental implant, then your life has been touched by the work of a biomedical engineer. This fascinating area of engineering is diverse as it combines biological sciences with engineering design. The role of biomedical engineers is to improve the quality of human life while advancing healthcare. Their work has aided the efforts of doctors in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a scope of medical conditions. Here are just some of the products biomedical engineers create:

  • Prosthetic limbs
  • Wearable technology
  • Implantable drug delivery systems
  • Dialysis machines
  • Injectable nanorobotics
  • Large full-body imaging

In addition to the broad scope of jobs performed by biomedical engineers, the area of working with biomaterials is just as critical to today’s healthcare. Here are some examples of engineered materials that are changing the lives of patients:

  • Implants
  • Stents
  • Artificial organs
  • Pacemakers
  • Dental products

Read more about this exciting topic in our blog: How Medical 3D Printing is Advancing the Healthcare Industry.

2. Sustainable engineer

In a time when sustainable energy is at the forefront of our environmental agenda, the demand for sustainable engineers is on the rise. The role of sustainable engineers is to redesign and retrofit existing systems by applying the principles of engineering and design, and analyzing current operations, production quality and deficiencies. The goal is to accomplish this in a way that has a positive effect on social and economic development balanced with limited impact on the environment, and without depleting materials for future generations. Some examples of sustainable design include:

  • Geothermal construction
  • Solar and wind-powered lighting, heating and cooling systems
  • Waste, heat and water recovery systems

3. Automotive engineer

There’s so much more to automobiles than filling the gas tank and checking the oil and tire pressure. Most of us don’t think twice about the design and inner workings of our cars; we just want to get to where we’re going. Automotive engineers are the professionals “behind the scenes” who work in all aspects of vehicle design and performance. They design the systems and mechanisms of prototype cars and also ensure that these vehicles are built within the parameters of quality and cost-effective materials. Automotive engineers are responsible for analyzing and resolving any design problems and overseeing their manufacture. Here are some other key skills and requirements that aspiring automotive engineers need in order to land the job:

A special shout out is in order for Vaughn graduate, Niki Taheri ’19, for landing her dream job at Volvo Trucks Technology in Greensboro, NC. Way to go, Niki! In addition, the automotive industry will continue to generate new engineering jobs with advancements in electric cars and autonomous (self-driving) vehicle technology.

*It is advised to consider an institution, such as Vaughn College, that offers a mechanical engineering program that is ABET-accredited, since few institutions offer bachelor’s program specifically for automotive engineering. ABET accreditation ensures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies.

4. Construction/structural engineer

Did you ever cross a bridge and wonder: “How did they build that?” These marvelous structures are possible thanks to the ingenuity and amazing design, problem-solving and analytical skills of construction or structural engineers. These professionals possess excellent communication and leadership skills, and must pay close attention to detail. Construction engineers play a key role in the successful design, execution and maintenance of load-bearing structures including:

  • Railroads
  • Roadways
  • Buildings
  • Drainage and sewer systems

Construction engineers specialize in particular types of projects. These specialties include:

  • Building commercial housing or buildings
  • Electrical systems
  • Mechanical systems such as plumbing, heating and cooling systems
  • Highway or heavy projects that include bridges, airports, highways or water-waste systems

5. Civil engineer

A civil engineer may seem similar to a construction engineer, as the two careers involve the design and construction of buildings, roads and bridges. The difference between the two is that a civil engineer works in a more STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-focused field that involves environments where people live. In addition, the civil engineer does more of the designing where the construction engineer specializes in on the on-site implementation of the plans created by the civil engineer. A civil engineer ensures that the design meets federal, state and local building codes.

There are several specialty areas of civil engineering, all of which require a solid foundation and knowledge in math, physics, design, economics and even materials science. Some examples of these specialty areas include:

  • Architectural engineering
  • Water resource engineering
  • Transportation engineering
  • Geotechnical engineering

Civil engineers typically design large projects. Some examples of these projects include:

  • Subway systems
  • Tunnels
  • Dams
  • Water supply networks

As you can see, engineering is all around us. What field of mechanical engineering interests you? Discover how a mechanical engineering degree from Vaughn College can set you on a futureproof path to success. Apply today!