Mechanical Engineering bachelor's degree programs in Illinois
Compare 8 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Illinois
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Northwestern UniversityEvanston · $15,334 federal debt$98,2772Bradley UniversityPeoria · $27,000 federal debt$95,8963University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign · $20,500 federal debt$95,3294Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago · $27,000 federal debt$87,7895University of Illinois ChicagoChicago · $21,500 federal debt$87,3846Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb · $25,000 federal debt$86,9997Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale · $24,250 federal debt$86,2388Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville · $23,110 federal debt$81,428
CAREER CONTEXT IN IL
What related occupations pay in Illinois
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
- $163,610
- Middle 50% wage range
- $133,070–$200,190
- State employment
- 8,900
- Projected growth
- +5.5%
- Annual openings
- 14,900
25-1032Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $135,430
- Middle 50% wage range
- $100,610–$176,020
- State employment
- 1,040
- Projected growth
- +7.8%
- Annual openings
- 3,900
17-2011Aerospace Engineers
- State median wage
- $108,940
- Middle 50% wage range
- $98,300–$153,800
- State employment
- 200
- Projected growth
- +8.3%
- Annual openings
- 3,800
17-2141Mechanical Engineers
- State median wage
- $102,680
- Middle 50% wage range
- $83,800–$130,730
- State employment
- 11,790
- Projected growth
- +11.2%
- Annual openings
- 17,800
13-1051Cost Estimators
- State median wage
- $82,750
- Middle 50% wage range
- $61,710–$108,240
- State employment
- 5,990
- Projected growth
- -3.1%
- Annual openings
- 17,600
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; 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 | Northwestern University | Evanston | $98,277 | $15,334 |
| 2 | Bradley University | Peoria | $95,896 | $27,000 |
| 3 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | $95,329 | $20,500 |
| 4 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago | $87,789 | $27,000 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | $87,384 | $21,500 |
| 6 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb | $86,999 | $25,000 |
| 7 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale | $86,238 | $24,250 |
| 8 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | $81,428 | $23,110 |
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 Illinois
What do Mechanical Engineering bachelor's degree graduates earn in Illinois?
Across 8 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $87,384 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $23,110 among the 8 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Northwestern University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.