Choosing one of the cheapest online mechanical engineering degree programs will open the door for you to one of the broadest of all the engineering disciplines. This subset of engineering includes robotics, aerospace, automotive, biomechanics, and much more. Mechanical engineers focus on creating products and technologies that meet specific human needs. They create items for the marketplace using their deep insights into motion, energy, materials, and mathematics.
If you have a background in engineering, even if it’s not precisely in mechanical engineering, these degrees can help propel your future while advancing your knowledge in an important field for the global economy.
In this database, you can search through 49 degrees from 45 accredited institutions. These degrees come with a variety of focus areas, including aerospace and nuclear engineering. They also come with a broad range of prices.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$32,500
Least Expensive In-state: University of Central Florida ~$9,820
Least Expensive Out-of-state: Kennesaw State University ~$11,710
Use our database to find the right online master’s degree in mechanical engineering for your schedule, budget, and goals.
28 Cheapest Online Mechanical Engineering Degree Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of Central Florida | (FL) | $9,820.00 $34,552.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Florida Atlantic University | (FL) | $11,155.00 $30,804.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Kennesaw State University | (GA) | $11,710.00 | All Students |
4 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $13,200.00 | All Students |
5 | Tarleton State University | (TX) | $13,752.00 $27,612.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | (NM) | $14,817.00 $45,606.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | University of Florida | (FL) | $15,921.00 $37,662.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Mississippi State University | (MS) | $16,860.00 | All Students |
9 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | (SC) | $17,678.00 $37,710.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 | Old Dominion University | (VA) | $18,922.00 $19,642.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
11 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | (NC) | $19,099.00 $52,389.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $19,500.00 | All Students |
13 | Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $20,812.00 | All Students |
14 | University of Houston | (TX) | $22,350.00 | All Students |
15 | University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $23,910.00 $24,360.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | University of Virginia | (VA) | $24,390.00 $45,270.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | Iowa State University | (IA) | $24,612.00 | All Students |
18 | Purdue University | (IN) | $25,000.00 | All Students |
19 | University of North Dakota | (ND) | $26,085.00 | All Students |
20 | University of Idaho | (ID) | $26,520.00 | All Students |
21 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $28,187.00 $43,307.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
22 | Auburn University | (AL) | $28,510.00 | All Students |
23 | Colorado State University | (CO) | $29,048.00 | All Students |
24 | Michigan State University | (MI) | $29,850.00 | All Students |
25 | Texas A & M University | (TX) | $30,204.00 $46,449.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
26 | University of Delaware | (DE) | $30,840.00 | All Students |
27 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | (VA) | $30,845.00 $58,270.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
28 | University of Arizona | (AZ) | $32,000.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Michigan - Dearborn | (MI) | $34,070.00 $56,000.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Virginia Commonwealth University | (VA) | $34,280.00 $69,650.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Missouri University of Science and Technology | (MO) | $36,000.00 $23,850.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Georgia Institute of Technology | (GA) | $36,210.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $36,224.00 | All Students | |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | (IL) | $36,384.00 | All Students | |
University of California-Los Angeles | (CA) | $37,800.00 | All Students | |
Michigan Technological University | (MI) | $44,880.00 | All Students | |
Lehigh University | (PA) | $46,350.00 | All Students | |
Villanova University | (PA) | $48,050.00 | All Students | |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute | (MA) | $48,300.00 | All Students | |
University of Washington | (WA) | $53,186.00 | All Students | |
Johns Hopkins University | (MD) | $55,800.00 | All Students | |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | (CT) | $60,300.00 | All Students | |
University of Southern California | (CA) | $65,944.00 | All Students | |
Columbia University in the City of New York | (NY) | $77,915.00 | All Students | |
Case Western Reserve University | (OH) | $78,064.00 | All Students |
Methodology for These Rankings
These rankings of online MS mechanical engineering degrees are based on our fall 2023 review of degrees. In order to calculate the total cost, we use a variety of factors including minimum required credit hours, tuition rates, and general fees. At the time of collection, the information was valid and specific to the program. Profiles for the same degrees found in the directory on our site may, on occasion, reflect a different cost based on editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated total price for the entire degree, but actual costs will vary by student. For example, if you have transfer credits, your cost may be lower. Prerequisite courses, textbook fees, licensing requirements, financial aid, and numerous other factors can impact the price of an online master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
We strive to create the most honest, accurate ranking system possible. Therefore, we do not accept payments from schools to be included or removed from our rankings. The rankings are open to any regionally-accredited public or nonprofit college or university that offers an online mechanical engineering master’s degree. We do not include degrees from non-accredited, nationally-accredited, or for-profit schools in our rankings. We also exclude from our rankings degrees that are available less than 80% online and those that are only available to students in five states or fewer.
Program Note: In order to qualify for a ranking, the master in mechanical engineering online must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
Why Choose One of the Cheapest Online Mechanical Engineering Degree Programs?
Thinking about an online mechanical engineering master’s degree, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Here are some of the top reasons people choose these engaging programs:
- High pay: Mechanical engineers have a median salary of over $96,000, while engineering managers have a median of nearly $160,000. With this education, you’ll be in a great position for strong earnings.
- Fascinating work: With a master’s in mechanical engineering, you can help solve some of the world’s most complex challenges. You’ll create solutions to address issues such as climate change, food shortages, water conservation, and more.
- A growing field: While the overall job market should grow by 3% between 2022 and 2032, the occupation of mechanical engineer is expected to grow by 10% during the same period.
- Boost your career: Most mechanical engineers only need a bachelor’s degree. With a master’s, you can become an expert in the field, prepared for leadership and research positions.
Mechanical Engineering Online Master’s: Program Cost
These programs come in a wide range of prices, from roughly $10,000 to over $78,000. With such a vast difference between the most expensive and the cheapest online mechanical engineering degree, you need to research the total cost and plan your budget accordingly.
The average price in this database is $32,400. This may sound expensive, but most of these degrees take two to three years to complete, which spreads out the cost. For example, a typical student completing a master in mechanical engineering online in two years will pay about $16,200 per year on average.
The price can also be much lower. The cheapest is the online MS mechanical engineering degree from the University of Central Florida, which costs $9,820 for in-state students. However, this price is only available to Florida residents. For students living in any other state, the cheapest online mechanical engineering degree comes from Kennesaw State University, which requires roughly $11,710 from all students.
This database has 49 degrees from 45 colleges and universities, so students have plenty of options. There are 19 programs priced below $25,000, including 13 priced below $20,000.
But the price can go much higher. In this database, the most expensive programs are the Master of Science and Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. These programs each have an estimated cost of $78,064, almost 2.5 times the average price.
Who Offers the Most Affordable Mechanical Engineering Degrees?
There are many affordable programs in this database, but if you want the lowest price for your education, look to the following three programs. And, by the way, if you’re not in the state of Florida, the last option, at least for pricing, is the best:
#1. University of Central Florida
Degree: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Cost: $9,820 (In-state, Florida)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Florida residents can enjoy a wonderfully low price when they enroll with the University of Central Florida. The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UCF is available for less than $10,000, although out-of-state residents will pay over $34,500 for the degree.
Students in this program receive a top-quality education from one of the leading schools in the country. Hoping to provide a focused education, UCF has created two tracks for this MS in Mechanical Engineering degree. The first track is Mechanical Systems, which studies the mechanics of materials, computational methods, and engineering designs. The other track is Thermofluids, which focuses on fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and turbomachinery.
Central Florida has a comprehensive online school that offers roughly 100 online programs. One of the highlights of this remote school is the UCF Online Connect Center, which provides students access to dedicated staff and academic coaches.
#2. Florida Atlantic University
Degree: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Cost: $11,155 (In-state, Florida)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
This program also provides a low cost to Florida-basaed students. Once again, the out-of-state cost is higher, but it may still be a good choice for non-residents. Students living outside of Florida will pay nearly $31,000 for the degree, which is still below the average in-state cost in our database.
With a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from FAU, students can work in a variety of related fields, including aerospace, industrial production, biomedical services, automation, and fluid mechanics. They can choose from a range of titles that include robotics engineer, project coordinator, and more.
FAU offers dedicated student support for learners from all walks of life. It offers degrees in fields that include education, business, computer science, and engineering.
#3. Kennesaw State University
Degree: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Cost: $11,170 (All students)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
While the previous degrees offer low prices for in-state students, the cheapest online mechanical engineering degree for all students in any location is this MS in Mechanical Engineering from Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
This program can benefit working professionals with a bachelor’s degree or current undergrad students who want to move directly into a master’s program. The program includes a variety of mechanical engineering courses and graduate-level electives that increase an engineer’s knowledge and skills. Consisting of 30 credit hours, students complete core courses in engineering mathematics and solid mechanics, as well as electives.
Online students at Kennesaw State have access to an innovative and intuitive learning platform. They can access online student support, career planning, and tutoring to help advance their degrees.
Master’s in Mechanical Engineering: Degree Program Types
All of these degrees focus on mechanical engineering. However, there are important differences, including various degree types and a handful of concentrations or specializations.
Most of these programs are master of science (MS) degrees. This is the most common type; the other being a master of engineering. Master of science in mechanical engineering degrees offer a primary focus on the research and scientific development of mechanical engineering practices. These degrees are ideal for a variety of goals, including professional development, academic advancement, or as a stepping stone to a doctorate in mechanical engineering.
The other type, a master of engineering, is similar but generally focuses on professional development. There is an emphasis on building professional skills and advancing your career.
Some of these programs also have specializations or concentrations. Here are two examples:
- Aerospace (University of Virginia)
- Nuclear (Virginia Commonwealth University)
These programs study mechanical engineering topics within their respective industries and can lead to different engineering careers. Unless you are pursuing an academic job, the concentration is, arguably, more important than the type.
Accreditation for these Programs
Accreditation is the act of reviewing and approving schools and programs. Colleges and universities across the United States can receive institutional accreditation. The most prominent type is known as regional accreditation because the schools receive approval from regional bodies like the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the New England Commission of Higher Education.
All the programs in this database have institutional accreditation; it’s required for inclusion in our database.
Another important form of accreditation is programmatic. This type applies only to the specific degree program. Programmatic accrediting bodies specialize in a particular subject. For instance, some engineering programs have accreditation from an engineering group called ABET. However, this form of accreditation is less common.
As long as the program comes from an accredited school, it will deliver a high-quality education accepted by employers.
Typical Admission Requirements
A master’s degree is one of the highest forms of education. Second only to a doctorate, these advanced degrees demonstrate an elite level of learning and academic achievement. As such, schools set a high standard for enrollment.
The first requirement is a bachelor’s degree. All programs require a four-year bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a similar field. A general engineering degree is a possible option.
Other requirements will vary depending on the school. Most will request a statement of purpose, which outlines your motivation for getting the degree and your goals after graduation. Another requirement will be letters of recommendation written by previous instructors or supervisors.
While the admissions process for a master’s degree can be difficult, students with a decent academic record and professional experience will likely find an online master’s degree mechanical engineering program that accepts their application.
Licensing, Training, or Experience Requirements
Mechanical engineers do not typically need licensing. It’s rarely required by state or local governments. However, there are a few situations where voluntary certification will be useful. Certifications help bolster a career, advancing careers into leadership or advanced research positions.
Potential certifications for mechanical engineers include:
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM): Offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), this certification verifies a professional’s knowledge of energy efficiency and management. Engineers with this credential have shown the ability to optimize energy performance in various applications.
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE): The American Society for Quality offers this unique certification that shows the ability to evaluate and control product and service quality. The application from this program includes applied technologies, quality-control systems, and analysis testing.
- American Society for Mechanical Engineers (multiple credentials): This group offers a variety of certifications for various professionals. These credentials cover many sub-categories of engineering, including nuclear, material, bioprocessing, and parts fabrication.
Certifications can also help engineers land larger and more lucrative projects. Major companies, in other words, may prefer to hire certified engineers.
Salary and Career Information for Mechanical Engineering and Related Occupations
Mechanical engineers earn a strong salary while enjoying a stable, growing job market. For perspective, the national median annual salary is $46,310. Mechanical engineers have a median of $96,310, more than double the national median.
However, pay for mechanical engineering is actually low compared to many other engineering careers. Altogether, the median pay for engineers is $100,030. Aerospace and nuclear engineers, as examples, have median salaries over $120,000.
Here are some important career statistics for mechanical engineering and other potential occupations:
Occupation | Expected Growth | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Managers | 4% | $159,920 |
| Aerospace Engineers | 6% | $126,880 |
| Nuclear Engineers | 1% | $122,480 |
| Electronics Engineers | 7% | $108,170 |
| Materials Engineers | 5% | $100,140 |
| All Engineers | 7% | $100,030 |
| Industrial Engineers | 12% | $96,350 |
| Mechanical Engineers | 10% | $96,310 |
| National Job Market | 3% | $46,310 |
Mechanical engineers work in all corners of the country, but there are certain areas where this profession is more prevalent. Unlike, say, lawyers and teachers, who are needed in every community and spread out accordingly, mechanical engineering is often concentrated in certain cities and regions.
The state with the highest concentration is Michigan, where there are 7.52 mechanical engineers for every 1,000 jobs. One can only assume that the state’s automotive and industrial history plays a role in this statistic. The second-highest concentration is in Pennsylvania, where there are 3.76 per 1,000. While still high, it’s roughly half the concentration of Michigan.
Overall the outlook is positive for mechanical engineers. They have a high salary that’s roughly double compared to national earnings, and their occupation growth is expected to triple that of the nation. If you want a lucrative, stable career, mechanical engineering, assuming you have the right education and skills, is a fine choice!
How Do I Choose a Good Online Mechanical Engineers Degree?
Choosing a top-quality degree can seem difficult, but with clear, purposeful steps, you’ll find an online master’s degree in mechanical engineering that fits your needs.
Start by researching programs for pricing. (This database makes a wonderful resource.) This will help you narrow the search to degrees that fit your budget. Next, find programs that match your specific career goals, and double-check for accreditation. (Again, this makes our database extremely useful, as all programs are accredited.)
When you find a program that fits your needs, research the admission process and gather all appropriate documents. With these steps, you can find a degree that propels your engineering career.