Mechanical Engineering master's degree programs in California
Compare 12 reporting programs using the same federal field and master's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in California
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara · Debt not reported$170,1202Stanford UniversityStanford · Debt not reported$167,6323University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley · Debt not reported$147,4754University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · Debt not reported$139,1015University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles · Debt not reported$138,8036California State University, Long BeachLong Beach · Debt not reported$138,4657California State University, FullertonFullerton · Debt not reported$129,0738University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla · Debt not reported$128,1299California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo · Debt not reported$127,90810California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona · Debt not reported$123,084
CAREER CONTEXT IN CA
What related occupations pay in California
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
11-9041Architectural and Engineering Managers
- State median wage
- $210,280
- Middle 50% wage range
- $169,140–$251,890
- State employment
- 29,630
- Projected growth
- +5.5%
- Annual openings
- 14,900
17-2011Aerospace Engineers
- State median wage
- $157,620
- Middle 50% wage range
- $129,010–$193,060
- State employment
- 9,170
- Projected growth
- +8.3%
- Annual openings
- 3,800
25-1032Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $137,280
- Middle 50% wage range
- $104,920–$189,630
- State employment
- 2,720
- Projected growth
- +7.8%
- Annual openings
- 3,900
17-2141Mechanical Engineers
- State median wage
- $130,900
- Middle 50% wage range
- $102,360–$166,580
- State employment
- 30,530
- Projected growth
- +11.2%
- Annual openings
- 17,800
13-1051Cost Estimators
- State median wage
- $85,460
- Middle 50% wage range
- $65,690–$118,060
- State employment
- 26,020
- Projected growth
- -3.1%
- Annual openings
- 17,600
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara | $170,120 | Not available |
| 2 | Stanford University | Stanford | $167,632 | Not available |
| 3 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley | $147,475 | Not available |
| 4 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles | $139,101 | Not available |
| 5 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles | $138,803 | Not available |
| 6 | California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach | $138,465 | Not available |
| 7 | California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton | $129,073 | Not available |
| 8 | University of California, San Diego | La Jolla | $128,129 | Not available |
| 9 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo | $127,908 | Not available |
| 10 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | Pomona | $123,084 | Not available |
| 11 | University of California, Davis | Davis | $121,768 | Not available |
| 12 | University of California, Riverside | Riverside | $106,742 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Mechanical Engineering in California
What do Mechanical Engineering master's degree graduates earn in California?
Across 12 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $129,073 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.
Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Santa Clara University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.