Being imbued in many challenges and discoveries beyond many fields means a mechanical engineering education is accomplished. To meet this enormous demand, the world needs the expertise of a mechanical engineer.
In this article, the Forum has compiled a list of Arizona’s best Mechanical Engineering schools. Carefully read through!
Like careers in many other engineering fields, mechanical engineers are exceptional. According to the United States Department of Labor, the mean salary for a mechanical engineer is $89,800, with the top ten percent earning close to $131,350.
Therefore, in this post, we’ll be looking at Mechanical Engineering in its entirety, how to become a Mechanical Engineer in Arizona, and the Best Mechanical Engineering schools in Arizona.
Table of contents
- What Is Mechanical Engineering?
- Why Should I Study Mechanical Engineering?
- What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?
- Mechanical Engineering Careers In Arizona
- What Skills Do Mechanical Engineers In Arizona Need?
- How Much Do Mechanical Engineers in Arizona Earn?
- How Much Does It Cost To Study Mechanical Engineering In Arizona?
- How To Become A Mechanical Engineer In Arizona
- Best Mechanical Engineering Schools In Arizona
- Conclusion
- FAQs On Best Mechanical Engineering Schools In Arizona
- References
- Author’s Recommendation
What Is Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical Engineering is a sub-discipline of Engineering that focuses on mechanical systems design, production, testing, and development, which are used in almost every industry.
Technically, Mechanical Engineering is the application of engineering concepts and problem-solving techniques for any product, from design to manufacture to the marketplace. Mechanical engineers evaluate their work using motion, energy, and force — ensuring procedures work securely, effectively, and reliably at all costs.
Furthermore, Mechanical Engineering careers concentrate on building technologies to meet human needs.
Why Should I Study Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical Engineering is the largest of all engineering disciplines. It deals with various engineering problems in mechanics of materials, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, energy conversion, vibration, design and manufacturing, materials science, and electromechanical systems, among others.
Unlike other engineering disciplines where hiring trends are industry-specific, mechanical engineers are valuable in almost every industry.
Moreso, mechanical engineering fuses creativity, knowledge, and analytical tools to achieve the difficult task of shaping an idea into reality. This transformation occurs on a personal scale and affects human lives on a level that we can reach out and touch like robotic prostheses.
What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?
Mechanical engineering combines creativity, knowledge, and analytical tools to complete the daunting task of shaping an idea into reality. This, in turn, affects all and sundry.
Mechanical engineers have a vast range of opportunities, and their education mirrors this breadth of subjects. Students focus on one area while growing analytical and problem-solving skills applicable to any engineering situation.
Disciplines within mechanical engineering include the following;
- Acoustics
- Aerospace
- Automation
- Automotive
- Autonomous Systems
- Biotechnology
- Composites
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Control Systems
- Cybersecurity
- Design
- Energy
- Ergonomics
- Human health
- Manufacturing and additive manufacturing
- Mechanics
- Nanotechnology
- Production planning
- Robotics
- Structural analysis
Mechanical Engineering Careers In Arizona
Society is based on Mechanical Engineering. The need for this knowledge is vital in so many fields, and for freshly minted Mechanical Engineers, there’s no limit. Jobs in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, biotechnology, and energy industries are always in demand.
Here’s a list of Mechanical Engineering Fields with broad job prospects in Arizona;
- Statics – This area focuses on how forces are dispatched to and throughout a structure. Once a system is in motion, mechanical engineers look at dynamics, velocities, accelerations, and resulting forces that come into play.
- Kinematics – Examines how a mechanism behaves as it moves through its range of motion.
- Materials science – Delves into learning the best materials for different applications. A part of that is elements strength—testing support loads, stiffness, brittleness, and other properties—essential for many construction, automobile, and medical materials.
- Thermodynamics – How energy gets converted into useful power is the essence of thermodynamics and determines what energy is lost in the process.
- Fluid mechanics – This area of Mechanical Engineering has a variety of applications, looking at many properties, including pressure falls from fluid flow and aerodynamic drag forces.
- Manufacturing – This is an important action in mechanical engineering. Researchers investigate the best processes to make manufacturing more efficient within the field.
- Laboratory methods – This area focuses on enhancing how to measure thermal and mechanical engineering products and processes.
- Machine design – It focuses on equipment-scale processes.
- Electrical engineering – focuses on circuitry.
- Vibrations – This is another field of mechanical engineering, where researchers examine how to predict and control vibrations.
- Engineering economics – This field makes mechanical designs relevant and usable in the real world by estimating manufacturing and life cycle costs of materials, designs, and other engineered products.
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What Skills Do Mechanical Engineers In Arizona Need?
The idea of engineering is problem-solving. With this at its core, mechanical engineering also demands applied creativity. That is a practical understanding of the work involved. In addition to that, a Mechanical Engineer needs strong interpersonal skills like networking, leadership, and conflict management.
Creating a product is only part of the equation; knowing how to work with people, ideas, data, and economics complete a mechanical engineer.
How Much Do Mechanical Engineers in Arizona Earn?
Mechanical Engineers are well paid, as are careers in many other Engineering fields. Mechanical Engineers gain well above average over each stage of their careers compared with other fields.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average wage for a Mechanical Engineer is $89,800, with the top ten percent earning up to $131,350.
How Much Does It Cost To Study Mechanical Engineering In Arizona?
For Arizona residents, the total tuition cost is about $7000 a semester. On the other hand, non-residents’ tuition costs about $13,000 on average. Many schools are relatively similar to these numbers, except the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
You can also utilize the scholarship opportunities like the American Helicopter Society International—Arizona Chapter Engineering Scholarship. This society grants scholarships of up to $3,000 to eligible students.
Another alternative is the Kelly Future Engineers Scholarship. This scholarship gifts $5,000 to students across the country.
How To Become A Mechanical Engineer In Arizona
Becoming a Mechanical Engineer in Arizona isn’t one out of the woods, you need to take the following steps:
OBTAIN A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
The BLS notes that most entry-level jobs in the industry require a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Students may also opt to complete a pre- Engineering degree of two years and consider the associated job as a mechanical drafter.
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Afterward, they can transfer to a four-year school to complete the remaining requirements for the baccalaureate.
Bachelor’s degree coursework incorporates moderate and advanced mathematics, life and physical sciences, engineering, and design. Students will be a computer lab, too, working with advanced computer-aided design (CAD) software.
The program offers courses that will prepare students to specialize in one or more mechanical engineering sectors. For instance, medical engineering technology coursework concentrates less on theory and more on the practical utilization of design principles. Internships and co-ops in mechanical engineering are often part of a degree program.
EARN AN ENGINEERING LICENSE
In the United States, all Mechanical Engineers delivering services directly to the general public are expected to hold a State license. However, students can apply for a license from the ABET-accredited Engineering program, after completing a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
In addition, Engineering graduates must also pass the fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) exam provided by the National Council of Engineering and Surveying Examiners to become qualified.
After four years of active service, engineers can write the Principles and Practice of Engineering (P.E.) exam to become Professional Engineers (P.E.s).
Employers may honor licenses from other states, given that the original licensing requirements are equal or greater to those in the new state.
OBTAIN CERTIFICATIONS
Though this is optional, certifications, like those granted by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, allow Engineering graduates to show competency in specific fields of mechanical engineering.
These fields include advanced control systems design, advanced materials mechanics, stress analysis, convection heat transfer, and dynamic systems.
While optional, certifications highlight one’s skills for employers and help qualify Engineering graduates for career-advancing jobs in Mechanical Engineering.
Best Mechanical Engineering Schools In Arizona
If you want to complete a Mechanical Engineering program in Arizona, you can choose from five Mechanical Engineering colleges in Arizona. The schools offer Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, while three offer Mechanical Engineering doctoral programs.
To ascertain the best Mechanical Engineering schools in Arizona, the following ranking factors were considered:
Accreditation – This shows that an authorized body approves the program offered by the school.
Graduation Rate – The graduation rate highlights the school’s ability to produce graduates when due.
Acceptance rate is the total number of students the institution admits per session.
Here’s a list of the best Mechanical Engineering schools in Arizona
Arizona State University-Tempe
Arizona State University- Tempe comes first in our list as the best Mechanical Engineering school in Arizona. The university grants 3 Degree programs in Mechanical Engineering. It is a public university located in a mid-sized area.
In 2015, 323 students graduated with 175 Bachelor’s degrees, 138 Master’s degrees, and 10 Doctoral degrees in the research field of Mechanical Engineering. The university’s acceptance and graduation rate is 83% and 55%, respectively.
The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET approves the Mechanical Engineering program.
University of Arizona
With an acceptance rate of 76%, The University of Arizona allows 3 programs in Mechanical Engineering. It is a major public university. In 2015, 112 students graduated, with 88 students earning Bachelor’s degrees, 13 Master’s degrees, and 11 Doctoral degrees in Mechanical Engineering.
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The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET approves the Mechanical Engineering program.
Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is also on our list of Arizona’s best Mechanical Engineering schools. NAU offers 3-degree programs in Mechanical Engineering. It is a public university situated in a small town.
In 2015, 119 students graduated, with 119 students earning a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. The university’s acceptance rate is 77%. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET approves the Mechanical Engineering program.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
The small private university in an outlying area offers 1 degree in Mechanical Engineering. At ERAU, students can engage in engineering competitions locally, nationally, and even globally through several professional organizations represented on campus.
In 2015, 26 students graduated with 26 Bachelor’s degrees in Mechanic Engineering. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET approves the Mechanical Engineering program. Acceptance rate: 79%
Grand Crayon University
GCU’s College of Science, Engineering, and Technology offers this Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering BSME degree program for students who are exceptional problem solvers and critical thinkers.
It blends a multidisciplinary range of STEM subjects, including computer programming, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics. Students are introduced to core business principles and methodologies to enhance their career qualifications further.
The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET approves the Mechanical Engineering program.
Conclusion
Being imbued in many challenges and discoveries beyond many fields means a mechanical engineering education is accomplished. To meet this large demand, the world needs the expertise of a mechanical engineer.
FAQs On Best Mechanical Engineering Schools In Arizona
Mechanical Engineering is a sub-discipline focusing on mechanical systems design, production, testing, and development, which are used in almost every industry.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average wage for a Mechanical Engineer is $89,800, with the top ten percent earning up to $131,350.
When you are an Arizona resident, the total tuition cost is about $7000 a semester. On the other hand, non-residents’ tuition costs about $13,000 on average.
Yes, there are scholarship opportunities for mechanical engineering students in Arizona. You can also utilize the scholarship opportunities like the American Helicopter Society International—Arizona Chapter Engineering Scholarship and Kelly Future Engineers Scholarship.
