Majors, minors & more
Mechanical Engineering
Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
- Offered as:
- Major
- Minor
Overview
Mechanical engineering is a broad area of engineering that centers on creating and improving the machines and systems that make modern life possible. For instance:
- The use and economical conversion of energy from natural sources into other useful energy to provide power, light, heat, cooling, and transportation
- Design and production of machines to lighten the burden of human work
- Creative planning, development, and operation of systems for using energy, machines, and resources
- The processing of materials into products useful to people.
The mechanical engineering program at WSU is particularly strong in aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials science, controls, mechanical design, and thermal design.
In addition to on its Pullman campus, WSU also offers mechanical engineering degrees at WSU Tri-Cities, WSU Vancouver, WSU North Puget Sound at Everett, and WSU at Olympic College in Bremerton.
- Scholarships and financial aid
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A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.
For all students at WSU
Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
To get all the financial help WSU can provide, start by doing these two things:
- Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need.
Click here for more info about WSU scholarships and financial aid
For engineering students
In addition to general university scholarships, students are eligible for corporate and privately supported scholarships and achievement awards offered by the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture.
- Careers
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An education in mechanical engineering provides students with problem-solving approaches to practical applications. These skills are used in the areas of mechanical and systems design, the study of energy and the environment, equipment development, manufacturing, CAD/CAM, project engineering, production management, applied research, and sales and service.
Mechanical engineering graduates are employed as engineers, technical supervisors, and managers.
In the Pacific Northwest, demand for mechanical engineers increases as career opportunities in aerospace, semiconductors, and materials processing grow.
Employers who hire Washington State University engineering graduates in the Pacific Northwest include the federal government (e.g. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard) and Pacific Northwest National Labs; large companies such as Boeing and Hewlett-Packard; mid-size companies such as Micron Technology and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc; and small companies such as SprayCool.
Starting salaries range from $44,000–$67,000, averaging $55,000 per year. Many of WSU's mechanical engineering graduates have two or three job offers to choose from.