U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 college rankings have placed the University of Illinois at the #6 spot for its graduate program in mechanical engineering. MechSE’s MS/PhD program consistently ranks in the top ten in the country. Illinois’ #6 spot is in a tie with the University of Michigan.
The department currently supports 51 master’s degree students and 277 doctoral students in mechanical engineering. The Grainger College of Engineering — also ranked #6 this year — boasts 10 graduate degree programs ranked in the Top 10.
MechSE’s other rankings include a #4 undergraduate program in mechanical engineering and a #3 online professional master’s degree in mechanical engineering. In addition to offering BS, MS and PhD degrees in mechanical engineering, the department also has one of the nation’s only undergraduate degree programs in engineering mechanics and graduate degrees in theoretical and applied mechanics.
“Our graduate programs are exceptional. We offer a uniquely broad and integrated experience across the full spectrum of mechanical science and engineering, from fundamental discovery to impactful applications,” said Elif Ertekin, Associate Professor in MechSE and Associate Head for Graduate Programs and Research and Director of Mechanics Programs. “But what I think truly sets us apart is our people: outstanding students, staff, and faculty whose collaborative, forward-looking work drives the strong momentum of our whole enterprise.”
Check out all of the 2026 graduate program rankings for The Grainger College of Engineering:
- Aerospace: #7
- Agricultural and biological: #4
- Bioengineering: #17
- Chemical: #14
- Civil: #1
- Computer engineering: #5
- Computer science: #5
- Electrical: #5
- Environmental: #5
- Industrial: #13
- Materials: #3
- Mechanical: #6
- Nuclear: #5
- Physics: #9