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Mechanical designer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a mechanical designer. Mechanical designers usually study drafting and design, mechanical engineering, or mechanical engineering technology. 51% of mechanical designers hold a associate degree, and 36% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 15,549 real mechanical designer resumes to see exactly what mechanical designer education sections show.
The most common colleges for mechanical designers are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online mechanical designer courses to help get the education required to be a mechanical designer.
There are certain mechanical designer certifications that you should consider. These mechanical designer certifications include Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) and Mechanical Certified Drafter (CD).
What education do you need to become a mechanical designer?
What degree do you need to be a mechanical designer?
- Associate, 51%
- Bachelor's, 36%
- Diploma, 4%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a mechanical designer?
- Drafting And Design, 40%
- Engineering, 4%
- Other Majors, 25%
Most common colleges for mechanical designers
| Mechanical designer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 8.51% |
| Purdue University | 7.93% |
| San Jose State University | 7.35% |
| Northeastern University | 7.16% |
| University of Houston | 6.77% |
Best majors for mechanical designers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drafting And Design | 39.8% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 22.6% |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineering Technology | 7.9% |
| 4 | Engineering | 4.3% |
| 5 | Graphic Design | 3.3% |
Best colleges for mechanical designers
The best colleges for mechanical designers are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and California Institute of Technology.
A mechanical designer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mechanical designers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become mechanical designers.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
2. Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,646
Enrollment
5,736
3. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
4. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
8. Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Ames, IA • Private
In-state tuition
$8,988
Enrollment
29,248
9. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
10. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
20 best online courses for mechanical designers
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design and Manufacturing with Fusion 360
Design for manufacturing is the process of designing parts, components, or products with the understanding surrounding design requirements for a specific manufacturing method. This course explores the design for manufacture workflow and shows how to validate models and create the G code, the programming language needed to instruct the CNC machine on how to move. We practice the basics of part and assembly design, and tools such as animation, rendering, and simulations using Autodesk Fusion 360...
2. Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems
The course provides the principles of modelling and simulation of modern mechatronic systems, which are mechanical systems integrated with several types of sensors and actuators. The aim of the course is to show different methodologies to improve the potential of mechanical systems by transforming them into mechatronic systems based on virtual models. In particular, the lessons will be focused on case studies in three engineering fields: robotics, controlled electro-hydraulic actuators and...
3. Mechanical design and Product development process
Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...
4. Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers
Learn about the fundamentals of materials and their selection for mechanical engineering design for design engineers...
5. Quantum Mechanics for Engineers
This Specialization is intended for engineers seeking to acquire fundamental understanding of quantum mechanics which are the basis of modern electrical, mechanical and quantum engineering. Through 3 courses, you will learn (1) basic concepts such as superposition and entanglement of quantum states, measurement in quantum mechanics and uncertainty principle, (2) mathematical tools needed to describe and manipulate quantum states, (3) advanced theory of angular momentum and (4) approximation...
6. Basics of Sheet metal design for Mechanical design engineers
Learn Sheet metal design, processes and practical design considerations along with Design projects...
7. Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Solid Mechanics / Engineering Statics...
8. The Complete Engineering Mechanics Course
Master the fundamentals of mechanics, statics and applied physics and then solve real-world mechanics problems...
9. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)
Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...
10. Python for Mechanical Engineers
Learn Python to solve problems in mechanical fields...
11. AutoCAD Mechanical 2D and 3D for Beginners to Advanced
Auto CAD Mechanical Engineering/ Drawing / Drafting / Design in 2D and 3D...
12. Complete Course in CATIA
For Students, Engineers, and Designers...
13. Manufacturing process selection and Design for manufacturing
Learn about the basics of selecting process for a mechanical design and the principles of design for Manufacturing...
14. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling
The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...
15. Automotive product design using CATIA V5
Automotive domain design using CATIA, interior and exterior trims on CATIA, Plastic product design in Automotive sector...
16. Learn AutoCAD 2023- 21 Mechanical 2D and 3D Complete Course
Autodesk Auto CAD 2023- 21 for Mechanical Engineer, Beginner to Advanced Auto CAD Course for 2D, 3D and advanced commands...
17. Engineering Mechanics: Statics
The Study of Objects in Equilibrium...
18. ANSYS Training: An Easy Introduction with Applications
Essential training on solving Engineering Problems from start by using Ansys workbench with examples...
19. Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD & T) : Basics
Learn the essential concepts of GD & T , for mechanical and manufacturing engineers with practice exercises...
20. Basics of Tolerance Stack-up Analysis and Fits with GD & T
Learn About Tolerances Stack-up Analysis and about fits in engineering with multiple examples with GD & T for mechanical...
Top 10 most affordable universities for mechanical designers
The most affordable schools for mechanical designers are Brigham Young University, inter american university of puerto rico san german, and university of puerto rico - mayaguez.
If the best universities for mechanical designers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for mechanical designers.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German
San German, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
14,322
3. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
4. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo
Arecibo, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,872
Cost of attendance
13,476
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,284
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for mechanical designers
The hardest universities for mechanical designers to get into are Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, and California Institute of Technology.
Some great schools for mechanical designers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for mechanical designers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mechanical designers
The easiest schools for mechanical designers to get into are Saint Martin's University, oregon institute of technology, and south dakota state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mechanical designer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for mechanical designers.
1. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
2. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
3. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
4. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
5. Montana Technological University
Butte, MT • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,199
6. Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,111
7. University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,050
8. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
9. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
10. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
Average mechanical designer salary by education level
| Mechanical designer education level | Mechanical designer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $69,309 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $61,956 |
| Doctorate Degree | $74,544 |
Mechanical designer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025