Engineering Mechanics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Engineering Mechanics is a rigorous academic discipline centered on the application of fundamental principles from mathematics and physics to understand and predict the behavior of physical systems under various forces and conditions. This program equips students with the analytical tools needed to evaluate structural integrity, material response, and dynamic motion in real-world engineering contexts.
- Statics: The study of forces in equilibrium, focusing on how structures and systems remain stable under applied loads without motion.
- Kinetics: The analysis of forces and their effects on the motion of bodies, linking cause and effect in mechanical systems.
- Dynamics: The investigation of motion over time, including acceleration, velocity, and the forces that govern changing states of motion.
- Kinematics: The geometric description of motion, independent of forces, emphasizing trajectories, velocities, and accelerations.
- Celestial Mechanics: The application of mechanical principles to the motion of astronomical bodies, including orbital dynamics and gravitational interactions.
- Stress and Failure Analysis: The evaluation of internal forces within materials and the prediction of deformation, fracture, and structural collapse under load.
- Electromagnetism: The study of electric and magnetic fields and their interactions with matter, essential for understanding electromechanical systems and energy conversion.
Engineering Mechanics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Engineering Mechanics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Engineering Mechanics degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineers, All Other and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 687,760 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Engineers, All Other 17-2199 | $117,750 | $62,840 - $183,510 | 150,750 | $56.61 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineers 17-2141 | $102,320 | $68,740 - $161,240 | 286,760 | $49.19 |
Engineering Mechanics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $97,355 in Arkansas to $150,565 in New Mexico—a 55% difference. The highest-paying states include New Mexico, California, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 687,760 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Engineering Mechanics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 18 institutions offering Engineering Mechanics programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Engineering Mechanics is found at Iowa State University (ISU) (60 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (50 graduates), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (23 graduates), The University of Texas, Austin (10 graduates), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 190 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
60 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
50 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Howard Payne University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Brownwood, Texas | Private | hputx.edu |
| Lee College |
Associate's
|
4 | Baytown, Texas | Public | lee.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
2 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
2 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| Cornell University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
2 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Master's
|
1 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Engineering Mechanics programs
How much can I earn with a Engineering Mechanics degree?
Salaries for Engineering Mechanics graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Engineers, All Other earn around $117,750. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Mexico average $150,565 compared to $97,355 in Arkansas. Approximately 687,760 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Engineering Mechanics programs?
Currently 18 accredited institutions offer Engineering Mechanics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Iowa State University (ISU) (60 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (50 graduates), and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (23 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Engineering Mechanics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 277 in 2010 to a peak of 257 in 2020, before declining slightly to 190 in 2023-24. This represents a 31% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Engineering Mechanics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineers, All Other, and Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 687,760 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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