Mechanical Engineering at Temple University

Temple's mechanical engineering graduates start at $66,161—roughly $5,000 below both national and Pennsylvania medians for the program. Among the state's 23 mechanical engineering programs, Temple lands squarely in the middle at the 40th percentile, trailing not just elite schools like Carnegie Mellon and Lehigh, but also regional competitors like York College. The 23rd percentile national ranking confirms this program isn't breaking into top-tier territory for engineering outcomes.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $26,843, it's manageable and right in line with state norms, creating a reasonable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates see solid 21% earnings growth by year four, reaching $80,267, which suggests the degree builds decent career momentum even if the starting point lags. For a school with an 83% admission rate serving many Pell-eligible students, Temple provides accessible engineering training that leads to legitimate middle-class careers.

The question is whether middling outcomes justify the investment when Pennsylvania offers 22 other mechanical engineering programs, including several public alternatives. If Temple's Philadelphia location or specific program features matter to your student, the debt load won't be crushing. But families should recognize they're paying for engineering credentials that perform below average compared to both national and state peers—this isn't the program that will maximize immediate earning potential in a competitive field.