A female engineering student wearing safety glasses operates an Instron universal testing machine in a dimly lit laboratory. She focuses on a computer monitor displaying a real-time stress-strain graph as the machine performs a mechanical test on a small material specimen held in metal grips.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

The Broadest Engineering Major

Mechanical engineering students in the Parker Motion and Control Lab

Design, Build and Solve Across Industries with a Versatile Mechanical Engineering Degree

Mechanical engineering is one of the most versatile and in-demand fields, with career opportunities spanning industries like automotive, aerospace, energy and manufacturing. At The University of Akron, students gain a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience while studying thermofluids, structures, motion and control systems. Graduates develop the skills to design, build and solve complex engineering challenges in a wide range of real-world settings.

YES, some things just set us apart.

Mechanical engineering student on co-op
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$49,000 during the degree

The average a student earns across three paid co-op rotations while completing the BS.

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Direct admission

Admitted to the University with engineering as your major means admitted to the College, with no second competition.

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Teams that place nationally

Second in the electric vehicle class at Formula Hybrid and Electric, with the fastest car in team history.

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$73,500 starting salary

The average for 2025 engineering, engineering technology and computing graduates, in work within six months of finishing.

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ABET accredited

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.

Mechanical Engineering News

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What’s possible when research crosses borders

Meet six mechanical engineering students at different points in their academic journeys — from doctoral candidates to undergraduates — who this summer stepped into research laboratories halfway around the world, working alongside Japanese students and faculty at three leading universities.