Mechanical engineering
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The machines of modern-day life
As the broadest field of engineering, mechanical engineering plays an important role in nearly every industry, from aerospace and automotive, to energy and manufacturing, to robotics and biotechnology.
In this program, you will learn how to apply math, science and engineering skills to research, design, develop and test devices and processes that solve problems. You might explore how to build a machine to perform a certain task, develop a better way to manufacture a product, create a more reliable system for generating power and much more.
Students in this program have excellent opportunities to put their skills into real-world practice. For example, you could help re-engineer a snowmobile to be more environmentally friendly or build a new hybrid race car.
Overview
Related Topics
Dream it and engineer it
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Are naturally curious about how things work
- Enjoy math and science
- Like to tinker and build things
- Are a creative problem solver
- Want broad career opportunities
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,038 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and starting salaries
- Postsecondary Engineering Teachers
$48,689 - Cost Estimators
$51,796 - Mechanical Engineers
$75,943 - Architectural and Engineering Managers
$122,156 - Mechatronics Engineers • Robotics Engineers
$67,828
* Career data provided by
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Financial Aid
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.
To maximize aid and scholarship possibilities, be sure to complete your FAFSA. For information on FAFSA deadlines and answers to common questions, visit the ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ FAFSA website.
Plan ahead — estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.
Scholarships
Unlock scholarship opportunities at ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥! When you apply to U of I, you're automatically considered for scholarships. We also offer a variety of scholarships based on experience, background and academic programs that students can apply for to help pay for college.
Explore ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ scholarships on our Scholarships website.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Hands-on learning
- Idaho’s only Grand Challenge Scholars Program — Preparing undergraduates to solve the biggest challenges facing society in the 21st century.
- Nationally-ranked Senior Capstone Design Program — Emphasizing the design process and the creation of a thoughtfully engineered, tested and validated outcome or prototype. Interdisciplinary teams showcase their work at our annual Engineering Design EXPO.
- Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) — Get paid up to $20,000 for a six-month session working with Micron, HP, BorgWarner, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in-between your junior and senior years.
- Jacobsen Scholars Program — The Richard T and Bonnie L. Jacobsen Engineering Assistantship will be awarded to support undergraduate engineering students who are engaged in research as participants of the college’s Grand Challenge Scholars Program. In honor of Professor Jacobsen’s engineering discipline, preference will be given to Mechanical Engineering students.
- — Earn a nationally competitive wage during a 10 to 16-week internship at the nation’s leading center for nuclear energy research and development. For students pursuing STEM fields.
- — Mentor-directed, career-related internship programs that contribute to NASA’s mission. Sessions are held in fall, spring and summer and are open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) — Receive a $4,000 student fellowship and $1,000 stipend to work on faculty-mentored projects full-time in any field of study.
- — RISE Germany offers undergraduate students the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions.
Clubs
Our college offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.
Learn about clubs related to your major:
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Robotics Club
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- Tau Beta Pi - Engineering Honor Society (TBP)
- Vandal Atmospheric Science Team (VAST)
Application information
Undergraduate applications open each September and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.
Explore admission requirements and apply on our Admissions website.