South San Francisco, California has 5 accredited schools offering mechanical engineering programs, with tuition ranging from $16,347 to $50,547 per year for indexed programs. South San Francisco has a population of about 64,487. Median household income is $135,909 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, the top-earning mechanical engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Managers at a median $221,580 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Closest Mechanical Engineering Schools to South San Francisco
The accredited institutions listed below are the closest in our directory that offer mechanical engineering programs near South San Francisco, ranked by BOC Score and straight-line distance from South San Francisco city center. The list is rebuilt from federal IPEDS data on every site update.
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
- Graduation rate 30%
- Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
- Average net price (lower is better) 20%
- Retention rate 15%
- Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
On this page, schools are ordered by distance from South San Francisco.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Graduation rate
67%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$68,077
Avg net price
$12,278/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 83%
- Programs offered: 102
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
11%
Graduation rate
93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$92,446
Avg net price
$13,481/yr
TuitionIn‑state$16,347
Out‑of‑state$50,547
Key stats
- Retention rate: 97%
- Programs offered: 127
Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
97%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$124,080
Avg net price
$13,807/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 100
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
69%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$94,784
Avg net price
$20,555/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 77%
- Programs offered: 8
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
90%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$109,183
Avg net price
$50,062/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 94%
- Programs offered: 65
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
78%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$78,988
Avg net price
$13,760/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 87%
- Programs offered: 118
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
75%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$78,445
Avg net price
$25,447/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 89%
- Programs offered: 82
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
42%
Graduation rate
85%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$80,838
Avg net price
$14,741/yr
TuitionIn‑state$16,774
Out‑of‑state$50,974
Key stats
- Retention rate: 93%
- Programs offered: 153
Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California mechanical engineering page.
Mechanical Engineering Wages Near South San Francisco
South San Francisco is part of the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area (BLS area code 41860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation |
Median Wage |
Source |
COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
| Mechanical Engineers |
$161,370 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA |
$139,593 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers |
$221,580 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA |
$191,678 |
| Industrial Engineers |
$132,230 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA |
$114,386 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
$100,620 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA |
$87,042 |
| Mechanical Drafters |
$98,310 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA |
$85,043 |
| Engineers, All Other |
$159,800 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA |
$138,235 |
| Aerospace Engineers |
$191,260 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA |
$165,450 |
| Cost Estimators |
$101,630 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA |
$87,915 |
Source: BLS, May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
South San Francisco at a Glance
| Metric |
Value |
Source |
| Population |
64,487 |
Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income |
$135,909 |
Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ |
40.1% |
Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) |
115.6 (above U.S. average) |
BEA RPP 2024 |
Other South San Francisco-Area Cities With Mechanical Engineering Programs
- San Bruno, CA – 2.1 mi away (42,957 pop)
- Daly City, CA – 3.5 mi away (106,472 pop)
- Millbrae, CA – 3.9 mi away (22,661 pop)
- Pacifica, CA – 4.3 mi away (39,062 pop)
- Burlingame, CA – 5.5 mi away (30,301 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited mechanical engineering schools are near South San Francisco, CA?
Our directory has 5 accredited schools offering mechanical engineering programs near South San Francisco. The closest is San Francisco State University in San Francisco, CA (5.6 miles), and the farthest of the schools shown is Santa Clara University (33.8 miles). 5 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying mechanical engineering roles near South San Francisco?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2025 wage data, the top-paying mechanical engineering-related roles near South San Francisco are: Architectural and Engineering Managers ($221,580), Aerospace Engineers ($191,260), Mechanical Engineers ($161,370). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in San Bruno instead of South San Francisco?
San Bruno, CA is 2.1 miles from South San Francisco and has its own set of local mechanical engineering programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is South San Francisco an affordable place to study mechanical engineering?
South San Francisco’s median household income of $135,909 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South San Francisco while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Learn More About Mechanical Engineering Programs
Other Programs Available in South San Francisco
Compare every accredited online degree program with city-level data for South San Francisco:
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- Mathematics programs in South San Francisco, CA
- General Studies programs in South San Francisco, CA
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- Geography programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Aviation Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Public Policy programs in South San Francisco, CA
- International Relations programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Chemistry programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Physics programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Neuroscience programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Spanish programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Film programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Fashion programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Architecture programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Urban Planning programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Industrial Design programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Game Design programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Instructional Design programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Higher Education Administration programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Global Health programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Art History programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Digital Marketing programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Financial Planning programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Organizational Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Intelligence Studies programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Military History programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Environmental Policy programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Online Teaching programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Conflict Resolution programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Educational Psychology programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Digital Forensics programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Web Design programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Space Studies programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Government Contracting programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Professional Sales programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Creative Writing programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Environmental Science programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Nutrition programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Theology programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Library Science programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Applied Behavior Analysis programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Medical Billing and Coding programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Medical Assistant programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Pharmacy Technician programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Health Science programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Occupational Safety and Health programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Entrepreneurship programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Interior Design programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Photography programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Sustainability Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Behavioral Health Science programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Mental Health Counseling programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Substance Abuse Counseling programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Journalism programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Public Relations programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Communication Disorders programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Speech Pathology programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Technical Communication programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Professional Writing programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Strategic Communications programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Business Development programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Construction Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Economics programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Financial Technology programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Forensic Accounting programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Health Information Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Hospitality Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- International Business programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Organizational Leadership programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Management Information Systems programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Nonprofit Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Operations Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Public Administration programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Real Estate programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Recreation Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Retail Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Risk Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Statistics programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Taxation programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Corrections programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Crime Analysis programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Criminal Justice Administration programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Criminology programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Cybercrime programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Emergency Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Fire Science programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Forensic Science programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Legal Services programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Legal Studies programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Paralegal programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Security Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Cloud Computing programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Computer Engineering programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Innovation programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Mobile App Development programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Software Development programs in South San Francisco, CA
- User Experience programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Web Development programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Artificial Intelligence programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Machine Learning programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Supply Chain Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Data Analytics programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Public Health programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Human Resources programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Project Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Special Education programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Homeland Security programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Marketing programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Finance programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Kinesiology programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Sports Management programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Early Childhood Education programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Elementary Education programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Biology programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Communications programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Graphic Design programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Human Services programs in South San Francisco, CA
- MBA programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Criminal Justice programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Nursing programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Business Administration programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Computer Science programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Psychology programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Education programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Engineering programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Technology programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Liberal Arts programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Healthcare programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Cybersecurity programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Accounting programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Healthcare Administration programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Social Work programs in South San Francisco, CA
- Counseling programs in South San Francisco, CA
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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