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Online Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering: 2026 Programs
A bachelor’s in mechanical engineering is the standard undergraduate credential in this field. Common titles include BS in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Mechanical Engineering, BSE with a mechanical major. Typical length is about 120 semester hours. In IPEDS 2024, 389 institutions reported bachelor’s-or-higher completions in the CIP codes used for this guide, and 353 of those institutions reported offering distance-education programs (IPEDS 2024). Of those, 385 reported bachelor’s completions.
Labs, machine shops, and some design courses are hybrid even when the lecture is online. ABET programs document how they meet those outcomes at a distance. If a school cannot show that, it is not an ABET mechanical engineering bachelor’s.
Quick answers
Can I get this degree online?
Yes. In IPEDS 2024, 389 institutions reported bachelor’s-or-higher completions in the CIP codes used for this guide, and 353 of those institutions reported offering distance-education programs (IPEDS 2024).
What will I study?
Typical coursework includes statics and dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, materials, machine design, and a major design experience.
What do graduates earn?
Mechanical Engineers: The national median annual wage was $104,110, with the 10th percentile at $73,990 and the 90th at $164,340 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 293,100 in 2024, projected to grow 9.1 percent through 2034, with 18,100 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Individual outcomes vary.
Do I need a bachelor’s, or will a certificate do?
Certificates cover a tool. The bachelor’s is what most employers treat as the degree. If the job posting lists a bachelor’s as required, a certificate will not substitute.
How is accreditation handled?
ABET accredits bachelor’s programs in mechanical engineering. The FE exam and, later, PE licensure run through NCEES and your state board. An online program that is not ABET-accredited is a different product: it will not be treated as an engineering degree by most state boards. Confirm ABET status on ABET’s site, not the brochure.
At a Glance
- Common degree titles: BS in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Mechanical Engineering, BSE with a mechanical major
- IPEDS 2024 institutions (bachelor’s or higher): 389 (353 with a distance-education flag)
- Related fields: engineering, electrical engineering, engineering management
Data verified: September 7, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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