Individuals may train for a mechanical engineering technician job through a certificate, diploma or associate's degree program in the field. Students may find these programs through engineering and continuing education departments at 2-year colleges and 4-year universities.
Top 10 Mechanical Engineering Technician Schools
Mechanical engineering programs are offered by a number of institutions, including these schools.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue Global - Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | 4-year, Public | Associate's, Bachelor's | $9,992 (In-state) $28,794 (Out-of-state) |
| Miami University - Oxford | Oxford, OH | 4-year, Public | Associate's | $15,380 (In-state) $34,896 (Out-of-state) |
| Bowling Green State University | Bowling Green, OH | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's | $11,105 (In-state) $19,093 (Out-of-state) |
| Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral | $18,454 (In-state) $34,858 (Out-of-state) |
| Weber State University | Ogden, UT | 4-year, Public | Associate's, Bachelor's | $5,859 (In-state) $15,646 (Out-of-state) |
| Kent State University | Ashtabula, OH | 4-year, Public | Associate's | $5,834 (In-state) $14,332 (Out-of-state) |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 4-year, Public | Associate's, Bachelor's | $9,544 (In-state) $21,754 (Out-of-state) |
| Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $1,138 (In-state) $6,010 (Out-of-state) |
| Carl Sandburg College | Galesburg, IL | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $4,670 (In-district) $6,994 (In-state) $7,778 (Out-of-state |
| Indiana University-Purdue Global-Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | 4-year, Public | Associate's, Bachelor's | $8,450 (In-state) $20,288 (Out-of-state) |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
School Selection Criteria
If you're ready to jump into the job market or have some engineering background already, a concentrated program that focuses only on courses in the field might be more in line with your plans. Review some things to consider for selecting a mechanical engineering technician school.
- Mechanical engineering is a broad field of study, and students may choose to enroll in programs that focus on a particular aspect, such as thermofluids, engine construction, or robotics.
- Within an engineering design program, courses can focus on computer-aided design (CAD) or rendering, while others may emphasize manufacturing and production. So, verifying that the curriculum meets your career goals is important.
- Students may seek programs that offer cooperative education or internships in order to gain hands-on experience, and should ensure that schools have up-to-date clinical facilities that allow them to become familiar with current technologies.
- Aspiring mechanical engineering technicians may also look for schools with active student engineering organizations that allow for networking opportunities.
Engineering Technician Certificate
An engineering technician certificate may be completed in 1-2 semesters. Work experience opportunities could be available for course credit.
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Diploma programs in mechanical engineering technology can take two years or less to complete.
Associate's Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Associate's degree programs in mechanical engineering technology often offer independent research opportunities and internships.
Aspiring mechanical engineering technicians can chose between associate's or bachelor's degrees to prepare to enter this career field. Many institutions offer these programs, which means prospective students have many options to choose from when selectin