Engineering is an ever-growing field that needs more and more people to fill job openings. If you have a knack for solving problems and putting math to use, then engineering may be the career for you. And if you live in Texas, then you’re luck because there are plenty of schools around with great engineering programs. From public to private schools, each one offers a unique experience with their own set of opportunities. Here are some top-rated mechanical engineering schools in Texas that may be right for your needs.
A degree in mechanical engineering is a great investment for your future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for this field will grow steadily over the next decade. In addition to being an important part of the science and technology world, mechanical engineering offers graduates a wide range of career opportunities. Your decision to pursue this degree will depend on what you want from your future career. If you’re not sure if going to school for this major is the right choice for you, here are some things about mechanical engineering that might help you decide.
Who is a Mechanical Engineer?
Mechanical engineers design and develop machines that take the physical world and make it easier for us to use. They specialize in areas like engines, robotics, electronics, and many other fields. Engineers typically work with a team or on their own. They might also move to different countries or continents depending on where they are needed.
What do they need?
Mechanical engineers need a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited program. They can then apply for registration as a professional engineer (PE) in some states and provinces. There is no specific exam associated with this designation; however, all PEs are required to abide by certain ethical standards as outlined by their respective state or provincial association of professional engineers. And if you want more information about what mechanical engineering is about, then read on!
Related: What Is Mechanical Engineering? (Answered)
A Mechanical engineer is any person who designs, develops, builds, and tests mechanical devices, including tools, engines, and machines.
A Mechanical engineer can also be seen as someone that analyzes their work using the principles of energy, motion, and force, therefore, ensuring that designs function safely, efficiently, and reliably, all at a competitive cost.
Mechanical Engineers have the ability to take a product from start to finish, and design for aesthetics, functionality, and durability. Here are different branches/types of mechanical engineers:
What are the duties of A Mechanical Engineer?
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest and most diverse engineering disciplines. A mechanical engineer has a variety of duties, depending on his area or branch of specialization.
Part of what a mechanical engineer does is to design and develop products like Engine parts, aircraft engines, compressors, prosthetic devices, control systems, aircraft engines, disk drives, gas turbines robots, wind turbines, printers, sensors, machine tools, and semiconductor tools.
Mechanical engineers also oversee the manufacturing process in a company, analyze problems to see how a mechanical device might help solve the problem.
They also design or redesign mechanical devices and also create blueprints with which devices are built. A mechanical engineer can also develop a prototype of a device and test the prototype, analyze the test results and change the design as needed.
Some mechanical engineers find career opportunities working in engineering services, research and development, manufacturing industries, and the federal government.
What Requirements do I need for mechanical engineering School?
There are lots of engineering schools around the world with different requirements. Mechanical engineers have an enormous range of opportunity and their education mirrors this breadth of subjects.
Students who which to pursue a career in mechanical engineering in Texas must first meet the minimum standardized test score requirements for SAT, ACT, GPA, GRE, and TOEFL scores if required.
They must also meet other requirements which include a resume, statement of purpose, high school transcript, and letters of recommendation.
How long does it take to complete a mechanical engineering program in Texas?
There are different top schools that offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering in Texas, USA.
A Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in Texas can equip you for licensure in the field and it takes four to five years to be completed if you attend the school on a full-time basis.
A master’s degree program in mechanical engineering at any school in Texas can be completed within two to three years of study.
PhD in mechanical engineering is a different program entirely because of the writing and defending of your thesis. So approximately five years of full-time study is required to complete the program in Texas.
What schools offer mechanical engineering Programs in Texas?
Texas is among the states that have the best mechanical engineering schools around the world and if you are interested in taking up a mechanical engineering program at Texas you’ll find these top schools.
There are about 34 mechanical engineering schools in Texas but in this article, we are going to highlight only the best 10.
List of best mechanical engineering schools in Texas
Best Mechanical Engineering Schools Ranking Factors
Here below are our criteria for ranking the best Mechanical Engineering Schools in Texas.
One major factor students should consider in choosing which school to attend is the acceptance rate. Actually, this will aid you to understand your chances of getting accepted.
On the other hand, a low acceptance rate and a low graduation rate still make it not too good enough. So, the top engineering schools in our ranking all have reasonable acceptance rate and graduation rate.
An English adage posits that light cannot be hidden. So, if a school is good enough it must have been noticed by world ranking sites. The schools in our rankings are recognized by top ranking sites across the globe.
They also have a good reputation when it comes to graduates’ career prospects and employment rates.
Attending an unaccredited mechanical engineering program is equivalent to not attending one at all. So, the schools on our list of top mechanical engineering schools are fully accredited by relevant bodies and/or authorities.
1. University of Texas-Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school located in the large city of Austin, Texas. The school is one of the best mechanical engineering colleges in Texas.
They offer 3 Mechanical Engineering Degree programs; bachelor’s, masters, and doctoral degrees.
The school is one of the finest schools in the USA. The school has been ranked number 10 in the list of best undergraduate mechanical engineering degree programs. This is according to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report.
The school has also been ranked number 12 in the list of best Graduate Mechanical Engineering degree programs.
2. Rice University
Rice University located in the city of Houston, Texas, is a private non-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.
The school is one of the best mechanical engineering colleges in Texas and in the country too. They offer 4 Mechanical Engineering Degree programs with 2 different higher degree levels in mechanical engineering.
The most popular of which is a Master’s Degree.
3. Texas A&M University- College Station
Texas A & M University is a public university with a fairly large student population. It is located in a medium-sized city College Station, Texas.
Texas A & M University is one of the best colleges that offers mechanical engineering programs. They offer bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and even PhD.
In 2015, about 354 students graduated in the study area of Mechanical Engineering with students earning 233 Bachelor’s degrees, 87 Master’s degrees, and 34 Doctoral degrees.
If you are interested in something more advanced, then Texas A & M University-College Station is the place to be.
4. Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university located at the city of Dallas, Texas.
Southern Methodist University offers 4 Mechanical Engineering Degree programs with a doctorate degree as the highest degree type.
In 2015, 97 students graduated in the study area of Mechanical Engineering with students earning 72 Bachelor’s degrees, 13 Master’s degrees, and 12 Doctoral degrees.
They are among the best ranked colleges that offer mechanical engineering programs in Texas.
5. Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University is a large public university in a mid-sized city located at Lubbock, Texas. The college is among the top mechanical engineering schools in Texas.
Texas Tech University offers 3 Mechanical Engineering Degree programs and the most popular of the programs is the Master’s Degree and Doctoral degree is the highest of them.
6. Baylor University
Baylor University is a large private non-profit school located in the mid-size city of Waco, Texas.
Baylor University is a top mechanical engineering school in Texas. The school has two prestigious mechanical degree programs; Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs. Available courses include:
- Mechanical Vibrations
- Thermodynamics
- Composite Materials
- Heat Transfer
- Biomechanics
Students who graduate from the Master’s degree program report average early career wages of $61,200.
7. University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas is a large public university in a small city of Richardson, Texas. They are among the best schools that offer the best Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees program in mechanical engineering in Texas.
In 2015, 125 students graduated in the study area of Mechanical Engineering with students earning 83 Bachelor’s degrees, 40 Master’s degrees, and 2 Doctoral degrees.
The school is among the top mechanical engineering schools in Texas.
8. University of Texas – Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public college with a fairly large student population. The school is located in Arlington, Texas.
They offer 3 Mechanical Engineering Degree programs; Bachelor’s, Masters, and Doctoral degrees. This puts it on the list of best engineering schools in Texas.
9. University of Houston
The University of Houston is a large public university in the city of Houston, Texas. Texas is the second most popular state university for studying mechanical engineering.
The University of Houston is among the top mechanical engineering schools in Texas. They offer 3 Mechanical Engineering Degree programs and the doctorate degree is the highest of them all.
10. University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a large public university in a mid-sized city at Denton, Texas. The college is among the best mechanical engineering schools in Texas.
Aspiring students at University of North Texas can find degree programs like Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctorate Degree Programs.
In 2015, 90 students graduated in the study area of Mechanical Engineering with students earning 75 Bachelor’s degrees, 15 Master’s degrees.
Mechanical Engineering schools in Texas without GRE
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that measures or assesses your verbal and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing and reading skills.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is the most widely accepted graduate test worldwide. The test offers universities a broad estimate of how qualified a student is to conduct the rigorous problem solving and critical thinking required in graduate school.
There are some mechanical engineering schools in Texas that don’t require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for their admission, they include;
Mechanical Engineering programs in Texas with low GPA
Grade Point Average (GPA) is one of the important criteria considered by most schools in Wisconsin. USA universities calculate GPA on a scale of 4 and most universities in Texas prefer a minimum grade of B or a GPA of 3 on a scale of 4 for admission to their graduate programs.
Conclusion
A career in mechanical engineering is very demanding but lucrative too. It usually takes an average of 6 to 7 years to become certified as an engineer. It will take you about 4 to 5 years to earn a bachelor’s degree and about 2 to 3 years to earn a master’s degree in mechanical degree.
I tell you sincerely, all the time spent in acquiring a mechanical engineering degree is just worth it. Mechanical engineers find career opportunities in diverse places. The least paid mechanical engineer in Texas earns about $102,980.