Indulging in many challenges and discoveries behind many areas means achieving an education in mechanical engineering. To meet this high demand, the world needs the expertise of a mechanical engineer. This article contains a list of Florida’s best mechanical engineering schools. Please carefully read through it!
Mechanical engineers are considered as distinguished as occupations in many other engineering fields. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average salary for a mechanical engineer is $89,800, and the top ten percent earn about $131,350.
Therefore, in this article we’ll be looking at Mechanical Engineering is in all its entirety, how to become a Mechanical Engineer in Florida, and the Best Mechanical Engineering schools in Florida.
Below, I summarize what to expect in this article:
Table of contents
- What Is Mechanical Engineering?
- Why Should I Study Mechanical Engineering?
- What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?
- Mechanical Engineering Careers In Florida
- What Skills Do Mechanical Engineers In Florida Need?
- How Much Do Mechanical Engineers in Florida Earn?
- How Much Does It Cost To Study Mechanical Engineering In Florida?
- How To Become A Mechanical Engineer In Florida
- Best Mechanical Engineering Schools In Florida
- #1. University of Florida
- #2. Florida Institute of Technology
- #3. University of Central Florida
- #4. Florida State University
- #5. University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
- #6. University of South Florida – Main Campus
- #7. Florida International University
- #8. Florida Atlantic University
- #9. University of North Florida
- #10. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach
- Conclusion
- FAQs On Best Mechanical Engineering Schools In Florida
- References
- Editor’s Recommendations:
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 you may think of.
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 the concepts of motion, energy, and force — ensuring designs work securely and are reliable 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 to be 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 affects all and sundry.
Mechanical engineers have a huge range of opportunity 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 Florida
Society is based on Mechanical Engineering. The need for this knowledge is strong in so many fields, and there’s no limit for freshly minted Mechanical Engineers. Jobs in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, biotechnology, and energy industries are always in demand.
Here’s a list of Mechanical Engineering Fields with wide job prospects in Florida;
- 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—which is essential for many constructions, automobiles, and medical materials.
- Thermodynamics – How energy gets converted into useful power is the essence of thermodynamics, as well as determining what energy is lost.
- Fluid mechanics – This area of Mechanical Engineering has a variety of applications, look 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.
What Skills Do Mechanical Engineers In Florida 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. Besides 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 Florida 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 per cent earning up to $131,350.
How Much Does It Cost To Study Mechanical Engineering In Florida?
If you are a Florida resident, the average tuition cost is $2700 per semester. If you are not a Florida resident, the average tuition cost is $9800 per semester. Many schools are similar to these numbers, except the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Fewer schools in Florida offer certificates and Associate’s degrees in mechanical engineering. Certificate programs usually last about one year and Associates degree programs typically last two years. Programs at this level are meant to prepare you for Bachelor’s-level work in engineering.
How To Become A Mechanical Engineer In Florida
Becoming a Mechanical Engineer in Florida 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. Afterward, they can choose to 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 (FE) 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 (PE) exam to become Professional Engineers (PEs).
Employers may honor licenses from other states given that the original licensing requirements are equal to or greater than 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 Florida
If you want to complete a Mechanical Engineering program in Florida, you can choose from the listed Mechanical Engineering colleges in Florida. The schools offer Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, while three offer Mechanical Engineering doctoral programs.
To find out the best Mechanical Engineering schools in Florida, 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 as at when due.
Acceptance rate – This stands for the total number of students the institution admits per session.
Here’s a list of the best Mechanical Engineering schools in Florida:
#1. University of Florida
It is difficult to beat the University of Florida if you wish to pursue mechanical engineering as a major. U of F is a very large public school located in the medium-sized City of Gainesville.
For those interested in something more advanced, U of F also offers two higher degree levels in mechanical engineering, the most popular of which is the Master’s Degree. The University of Florida mechanical engineering students earn an estimated $3,033 above the average earnings of mechanical engineering graduates. This is one of the best mechanical engineering schools in Florida.
#2. Florida Institute of Technology
The Florida Institute of Technology is a good choice for people interested in a major in mechanical engineering. Florida Tech is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school in the small city of Melbourne.
Florida Tech also offers 2 different higher degree levels in mechanical engineering, the most popular of which is a Master’s Degree for those interested in something more advanced. Grads of the program report average early career earnings of $61,300.
#3. University of Central Florida
The Mechanical Engineering major is part of the University of Central Florida engineering program.
The University of Central Florida offers 4 Mechanical Engineering Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 384 students graduated in the study area of Mechanical Engineering with students earning 331 Bachelor’s degrees, 42 Master’s degrees, and 11 Doctoral degrees. The University of Central Florida is also one of Florida’s top mechanical engineering schools.
#4. Florida State University
Florida State is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee. Therefore, any student pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering has to check out Florida State University.
For those who desire something more advanced, Florida State also offers 2 different higher degree levels in mechanical engineering, the most popular of which is a Master’s Degree. Graduates of the ME program make around $60,300 in their early career salary.
#5. University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
Located in the suburb Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
For those interested in something more advanced, U Miami also offers 2 different higher degree levels in mechanical engineering, the most popular of which is a Doctor’s Degree (Research / Scholarship). Mechanical Engineering students from the University of Miami receive an earnings boost of approximately $5,733 over the average earnings of mechanical engineering graduates. This is also one of the best mechanical engineering schools in Florida.
#6. University of South Florida – Main Campus
USF Tampa is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Tampa.
University of South Florida-Main Campus offers 3 Mechanical Engineering Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 162 students graduated in the study area of Mechanical Engineering with students earning 136 Bachelor’s degrees, 21 Master’s degrees, and 5 Doctoral degrees.
#7. Florida International University
Florida International University offers 5 undergraduate programs in Mechanical Engineering. It is a large public university in a large suburb. In 2015, 121 students graduated from the mechanical engineering study area with students who received 103 bachelor’s degrees, 14 master’s degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees.
For those interested in something more advanced, FIU also offers 3 different higher degree levels in mechanical engineering, the most popular of which is a Master’s Degree. Students who graduate from this program receive average early career wages of $61,300.
#8. Florida Atlantic University
Located in the small city Boca Raton, FAU is a public college with a very large student population.
Florida Atlantic University offers 3 Mechanical Engineering Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a small city. In 2015, 70 students graduated in the study area of Mechanical Engineering, with students earning 63 Bachelor’s degrees, and 7 Master’s degrees. Florida Atlantic University is also one of Florida’s top mechanical engineering schools.
#9. University of North Florida
North Florida is an above-average public university located in Jacksonville, Florida. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 10,452 undergraduate students. Admissions are competitive, as the North Florida acceptance rate is 61%. Popular majors include Liberal Arts and Humanities, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Communications. Graduating 59% of students, North Florida alumni earn a starting salary of $35,800.
#10. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach
As the nation’s only university specializing in every aspect of the aviation and aerospace fields, employers seek Embry-Riddle graduates for in-demand careers from professional pilot to pre-med, engineering to intelligence operations, and everything in between.
Offering one-of-a-kind majors in aerospace physiology, space physics, aviation business, and many more, Embry-Riddle is preparing students for the critical needs of industry today, as well as the careers of tomorrow.
Conclusion
Indulging in many challenges and discoveries behind many areas means achieving an education in mechanical engineering. To meet this high demand, the world needs the expertise of a mechanical engineer.
FAQs On Best Mechanical Engineering Schools In Florida
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.
Florida State University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in mechanical engineering.
Mechanical engineering combines creativity, knowledge, and analytical tools
References
- universities.com – Best Mechanical Engineering Degrees
- collegefactual.com – Mechanical Engineering
