1/28/2026 Julia Park
Written by Julia Park
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s online mechanical engineering master’s degree program continues to maintain its rank as #3 in the nation, according to newly released data from U.S. News and World Report.
The degree program and the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering (MechSE) are part of The Grainger College of Engineering, which is ranked #3 overall for online programs and boasts the #1 online engineering program for veterans.
MechSE at Illinois offers a non-thesis professional Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (M.Eng.ME)—now in its 11th academic year. The vibrant, robust program prepares new engineers and those already in practice as they advance their careers and address societal challenges. Students can complete the degree entirely online as well as on campus, full-time or part-time. They can select from among six tracks of study or build their own custom track. Online and on-campus courses are taught by renowned mechanical engineering faculty and highly regarded industry experts, bringing their real-world experience to the classroom.
MechSE’s M.Eng.ME program has become known for the highly personalized support students receive from day one, no matter how they are enrolled in the program. Students also enjoy a close-knit, diverse community of their peers. Engineers with a professional master’s degree from the University of Illinois are more competitive and see a greater starting salary and improved career trajectory over engineers who hold only a bachelor’s degree. Alumni of the program have launched successful careers at companies like SpaceX, Boeing, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Abbott Laboratories and many others.
The program serves approximately 100 students as of Spring 2026 – including 40 enrolled online – reflecting significant growth every year since its launch in 2015.
“We are pleased to learn of the recent recognition of our online mechanical engineering program,” said M.Eng.ME Faculty Director Quinn Brewster. “This accomplishment is largely a result of the dedication, foresight, and vision of MechSE Department Head Professor Tony Jacobi, M.Eng.ME Faculty Co-Director Professor Jiajun He, and Program Coordinator Susan Roughton, as well as support from the faculty and staff in our undergraduate and graduate programs offices. Of course, our program wouldn’t be what it is without the excellence of the students enrolled and the renowned faculty who teach our online courses. Online learning in engineering fields continues to grow at an exciting and challenging pace, and we’re excited for the future as our online program continues to grow in size and quality, and we strive to have the best program in the country.”
Check out all of the 2026 online rankings for The Grainger College of Engineering:
- Overall: #3
- Civil Engineering: #2
- Electrical Engineering: #3
- Engineering Management: #10
- Industrial Engineering: #5
- Mechanical Engineering: #3
- Best Online Engineering Program for Veterans: #1
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Contact: Julia Park, jcation@illinois.edu, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign