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Top 4 Online Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: March 8, 2024, Reading time: 9 minutes

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Are you a senior in high school and currently searching for the top colleges? If, after years of trying to decide on your major, you finally picked Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), we say that it is an excellent choice! If you’re someone who’s a college graduate and wants a career change, BSME might be the best way to go for you, too!

BSME is one of the top choices of incoming college freshmen students. This is because it promises excellent career potential and introduces students to the different fields of engineering. It is a college program that leads to a degree in a very diverse engineering study.

Mechanical Engineers are experts in dealing with the design, development, installation, and maintenance of machines and engines. Manufacturing companies of cars, smartphones, medicines, and even clothing essentially depend on Mechanical Engineers to operate on a day-to-day basis.

Listen to our quick audio summary:

Methodology

If you want to get a leg up in the increasingly vital and continuously evolving field of Mechanical Engineering, be sure to conduct a detailed college search and explore your options in Engineering degrees.

Take your pick from world-renowned academic institutions that make the Mechanical Engineering degree available at your fingertips. Continue reading to discover more about the prognosis for particular engineering fields, providing a wide array of lucrative career options.

Our list of the Best Online Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s degree programs is meant to provide you with the best educational options! These institutions feature:

See our Methodology page for more information about how we chose these online Mechanical Engineering degrees.

College Cliffs is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Best BS in Mechanical Engineering Online Degrees

If you are searching for good colleges offering a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Online, these top colleges are for you!

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First on our list of top colleges is Auburn University. The university aims to serve the citizens of Alabama through high-quality education, focusing on instructional, research, and outreach programs. With this, Alabamians are ready to successfully face real-world problems in the mechanical engineering field.

The university is consistent with its commitment to emphasizing broad and quality undergraduate programs. With the purpose of providing these services to the state and beyond, Auburn University offers online programs of select courses. One of which is its renowned Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering online program.

Auburn University’s BSME has accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. In order to ensure the quality of the engineering program, the Department of Mechanical Engineering implements an extensive curriculum. This also applies to the university’s online program.

The 122 credits prepare students for a rewarding career where they can showcase their technical expertise. Auburn University graduates learn professionalism and awareness of contemporary issues. As a result, you not only have an engineering degree, you have the proficiency to succeed.

bama - collegecliffs.com

The University of Alabama offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, mostly on an online platform. It recognizes that Mechanical Engineering is a broad and versatile engineering degree. Many who see a bright future in the field have good reason to want to earn a degree in ME.

The University of Alabama’s online program ensures that you have the opportunity to earn a BSME degree without sacrificing a significant portion of your time or your job.

As a student of the online program, you will gain the skills and educational background to design complex machines. Your skills will not be limited to design as it will prepare you for all aspects of product manufacturing.

UA’s online program has accreditation from ABET, so it is as rigorous as the program for on-campus students.

You will need to earn a total of 126 credit hours to complete the program. The BSME is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in a broad variety of engineering career paths.

Interested? Watch this video recording of the information session of UA’s Online BSME:

UND - collegecliffs.com

Machines make up the most essential parts of our daily lives. To make these machines function according to how they are made, mechanical engineers work hard in designing them. This is where the University of North Dakota’s Mechanical Engineering program excels.

The curriculum complements the hands-on requirement of the field. UND’s strong technical curriculum prepares BSME students for the practical applications of engineering theories.

Gain hands-on experience through the 129 credit hours of the online program and finish the degree in 6 years. All these credit courses will be taught by highly qualified professors. With an emphasis on collaborative problem-solving, you are one step ahead of your peers in today’s workplace environment. 

As a student of the degree, you can choose an area of concentration. All of which are optional and dependent on your preference:

Because of this top-ranked online program, among others, UND has made it to the list of schools with ABET accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC).

LU - collegecliffs.com

Your engineering career starts at Lipscomb University. LU acknowledges that the world of engineering is changing every day, and it commits to adapting to these changes. Undergraduate students at Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering are responsible for many innovations in the field of Mechanical Engineering.

They design and install bridges, construct cars, and find ways to develop renewable energy sources. This is a mission that they intend to make and keep. LU is a unique institution because of its Christian-based engineering programs. It is among Tennessee’s and the country’s top Christian Universities Online.

Lipscomb continues to place as the No. 6 Christian engineering program in the nation, which is a remarkable accomplishment. With an encouraging educational environment, engineering students gain the best preparation for a career in the field.

Lipscomb University’s Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering has EAC accreditation which prepares BSME students for employment in various industries. Lipscomb’s Mechanical Engineering students and graduates continue to make a difference in the field of Mechanical Engineering as they vow to change lives.

Because of the university’s Engineering Missions, they are one step closer to making the world a better place. If you want to be a part of this mission, enroll at Lipscomb University.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I learn in online Mechanical Engineering programs?

Mechanical engineering schools in the United States are generally standardized due to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Undergraduate mechanical engineering degrees often begin with specific introductory courses that are useful throughout engineering programs, such as mathematics, physics, and basic introductory engineering courses.

Mechanical engineers may anticipate taking courses in design, manufacturing, mechanics, thermodynamics, and materials if they begin to specialize in their field. Graduates of a master’s of engineering (ME) degree should have academic and lab experience in the many disciplines that directly pertain to mechanical engineering.

A mechanical engineering degree is known for its breadth, making it an appealing major for students who want to study engineering but aren’t sure where to specialize.

Mechanical engineers can begin their careers with a bachelor of science degree, but some students choose to further their studies with a master’s or a Ph.D. Engineers often obtain some experience with their bachelor’s degree and then enhance their formal studies to advance in their jobs.

Am I suited for a career in Mechanical Engineering?

If you appreciate coming up with practical answers to issues and seeing your ideas come to fruition, a career in mechanical engineering may be for you.

While a love of math and science is essential, the broad nature of mechanical engineering makes it a suitable fit for creative people with a wide range of interests.

Can I earn a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering through a distance learning program?

Yes, you can earn your Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering online. Many universities and colleges offer online degree programs in Mechanical Engineering. You should research distance learning programs carefully to ensure that it is appropriately accredited through the colleges and schools commission and that the program meets your needs.

Is it hard to get hired as a Mechanical Engineer?

The difficulty of getting hired as a mechanical engineer depends on many factors, such as the job market, your qualifications and experience, and the type of employer you are applying to. Generally speaking, the more experience and qualifications you have, the more attractive you will be to employers.

Between 2022 and 2032, the BLS states that the expected average rate of growth for Mechanical Engineers is 10%, which is slower than average for all occupations, unfortunately. However, as workers retire, replacement experts in this field will be needed. In fact, about 19,200 openings are expected over the next decade.

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