Principal mechanical engineer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a principal mechanical engineer. Principal mechanical engineers usually study mechanical engineering, engineering, or mechanical engineering technology. 72% of principal mechanical engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 741 real principal mechanical engineer resumes to see exactly what principal mechanical engineer education sections show.

The most common colleges for principal mechanical engineers are the Northeastern University and the Northeastern University.

There are also many online principal mechanical engineer courses to help get the education required to be a principal mechanical engineer.

What education do you need to become a principal mechanical engineer?

What degree do you need to be a principal mechanical engineer?

The most common degree for principal mechanical engineers is bachelor's degree, with 72% of principal mechanical engineers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 5%.

Bachelor's, 72%

Master's, 18%

Associate, 5%

Doctorate, 4%

Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a principal mechanical engineer?

You should major in mechanical engineering to become a principal mechanical engineer. 69% of principal mechanical engineers major in mechanical engineering. Other common majors for a principal mechanical engineer include engineering and mechanical engineering technology.

Mechanical Engineering, 69%

Engineering, 3%

Mechanical Engineering Technology, 3%

Aerospace Engineering, 3%

Other Majors, 22%

Most common colleges for principal mechanical engineers

Principal mechanical engineers often get their degrees at Northeastern University, Pennsylvania State University, and University of Massachusetts - Lowell. Here are the most common colleges for principal mechanical engineers in the US based on their resumes.

Principal mechanical engineer common college	Percentages
Northeastern University	10.24%
Pennsylvania State University	5.51%
University of Massachusetts - Lowell	5.51%
University of Massachusetts Boston	5.51%
Texas A&M University	5.51%

Show more common principal mechanical engineer colleges

Best majors for principal mechanical engineers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Mechanical Engineering	68.7%
2	Engineering	3.3%
3	Mechanical Engineering Technology	3.1%
4	Aerospace Engineering	3.1%
5	Electrical Engineering	2.4%

Show more common principal mechanical engineer majors

Best colleges for principal mechanical engineers

The best colleges for principal mechanical engineers are California Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

A principal mechanical engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for principal mechanical engineers. 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 principal mechanical engineers.

1. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

2. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

6. Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Ames, IA • Private

In-state tuition

$8,988

Enrollment

29,248

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

8. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

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 principal mechanical engineers

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3. Mechanical design and Product development process

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Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...

4. Mechanics / Statics - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

4.5

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6. Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Review

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11. Manufacturing Guide for Mechanical Product Development

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12. Basics of Sheet metal design for Mechanical design engineers

4.3

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Learn Sheet metal design, processes and practical design considerations along with Design projects...

13. Engineering Mechanics: Statics

4.8

(611)

The Study of Objects in Equilibrium...

14. ANSYS Training: An Easy Introduction with Applications

4.5

(1,863)

Essential training on solving Engineering Problems from start by using Ansys workbench with examples...

15. Internal Combustion Engine Basics (Mechanical Engineering)

4.5

(723)

Learn how internal combustion engines work! Learn all of a combustion engine's main components and how they work!...

16. Ansys Workbench - Analysis Engineering Training Program

4.3

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17. Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering Explained

4.8

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18. Learning SOLIDWORKS: For Students, Engineers, and Designers

4.4

(2,712)

For Basic and Intermediate Users...

19. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling

4.5

(892)

The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...

20. AutoCAD Mechanical 2D and 3D for Beginners to Advanced

(417)

Auto CAD Mechanical Engineering/ Drawing / Drafting / Design in 2D and 3D...

Top 10 most affordable universities for principal mechanical engineers

The most affordable schools for principal mechanical engineers are Brigham Young University, inter american university of puerto rico arecibo, and inter american university of puerto rico bayamon.

If the best universities for principal mechanical engineers 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 principal mechanical engineers.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Arecibo

Arecibo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,872

Cost of attendance

13,476

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German

San German, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

14,322

7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

8. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Cost of attendance

28,501

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for principal mechanical engineers

The hardest universities for principal mechanical engineers to get into are California Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for principal mechanical engineers 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 principal mechanical engineers 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. California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,566

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

8. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,465

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for principal mechanical engineers

The easiest schools for principal mechanical engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, saint martin's university, and cleveland state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a principal mechanical engineer 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 principal mechanical engineers.

1. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

2. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

3. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

4. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

5. University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,050

6. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

7. Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,093

8. Alcorn State University

Alcorn State, MS • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,026

9. Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

1,086

10. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

Average principal mechanical engineer salary by education level

Principal mechanical engineers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $120,471 annually. With a Master's degree, principal mechanical engineers earn a median annual income of $112,642 compared to $101,566 for principal mechanical engineers with an Bachelor's degree.

Principal mechanical engineer education level	Principal mechanical engineer salary
Master's Degree	$112,642
Bachelor's Degree	$101,566
Doctorate Degree	$120,471

Principal mechanical engineer education FAQs

What is the best college for Principal Mechanical Engineers?

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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