The 2 best mechatronics bachelor's programs in Pennsylvania, ranked
Both Pennsylvania mechatronics-track BS programs are ABET-ETAC accredited public university programs at very different price points. PennWest California sits in the PASSHE state system with low tuition. Penn State EMET sits inside Penn State's Commonwealth system at higher tuition but with the Penn State brand. Pick by your cost-versus-brand priorities and which PA geography fits.
California, PA
BS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology
PennWest California
PennWest California's Mechatronics Engineering Technology BS launched in 2013 as the first hands-on, technology-focused, four-year mechatronics program of its kind in Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. The four-year curriculum bridges the gap between technician-track and engineer-track training — graduates are prepared to design, operate, and troubleshoot advanced automated systems including industrial robots and automated machinery. Pennsylvania State System public tuition (~$7,700 in-state) keeps it among the most affordable ETAC mechatronics BS options in the country. Program delivery is in-person at the California, PA campus.
Tuition
$7,716/yr
Duration
48 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
ABET-ETAC
Overall
75
of 100
Click any factor for details
University Park, PA
BS in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State's BS in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology is the same degree delivered across five Commonwealth campuses (Berks, Altoona, Fayette, New Kensington, York) — graduates earn a Penn State degree regardless of campus. The 130-credit ETAC-accredited program prepares technologists to design, maintain, and operate electromechanical systems, with heavy emphasis on automation and robotics applications. Electromechanical engineering technology overlaps mechatronics nearly completely in scope; this is the right program for students who want a Penn State brand on a mechatronics-equivalent ETAC degree without relocating to University Park.
Tuition
$19,286/yr
Duration
48 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
ABET-ETAC
Overall
72
of 100
Click any factor for details
Why Pennsylvania is one of the top states for a mechatronics engineering career
Pennsylvania has the fifth-largest manufacturing workforce in the US (~560,000 employees) and a uniquely diversified mix. Western PA has a deep heavy-industry legacy in steel, machine tools, and now Pittsburgh-area robotics. Central PA has Penn State University Park as an engineering research hub plus growing automotive supplier and food processing. Eastern PA is dominated by Philadelphia-area pharmaceutical manufacturing (GSK, Merck), defense (Lockheed Martin, Boeing in nearby NJ), and the I-95 corridor industrial base.
For mechatronics engineers specifically, Pittsburgh is the headline story. Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute spun out Argo AI (autonomous trucking), Aurora Innovation, Locomation, Bossa Nova Robotics, and dozens of smaller robotics startups. CMU also feeds talent to Aptiv's Pittsburgh Tech Center, Uber ATG's legacy operations, and a growing robotics venture-capital base. Mechatronics engineers from PA BS programs often end up in this Pittsburgh robotics cluster.
Top Pennsylvania employers hiring mechatronics engineers
Pittsburgh robotics cluster
Aurora Innovation (autonomous trucks). Locomation (autonomous trucking, now defunct but talent dispersed). Bossa Nova Robotics (retail robotics, also defunct, talent dispersed). Aptiv Pittsburgh Tech Center (autonomous vehicle development). Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute commercial spinoffs. Plus dozens of smaller robotics startups in the East Liberty and South Side neighborhoods. The Pittsburgh robotics cluster is uniquely deep.
Westinghouse Electric (Cranberry Township, near Pittsburgh)
Nuclear power plant systems and instrumentation. Heavy mechatronics work on nuclear reactor control systems. Specialized engineering with strong job security but limited mobility outside nuclear industry.
U.S. Steel, Cleveland-Cliffs (formerly Steel Belt)
Western PA steel manufacturing legacy. Largely automated mill operations. Continuous-process mechatronics work with strong overtime potential.
Mack Trucks / Volvo Group (Allentown, Macungie)
Mack Trucks assembly in eastern PA. Class 8 truck manufacturing with heavy body-in-white robotic welding and assembly automation.
GSK, Merck, Wyeth (Philadelphia metro pharma)
Philadelphia-area pharmaceutical manufacturing. Heavy process automation. Higher pay than discrete-manufacturing mechatronics roles.
Lockheed Martin (King of Prussia, Newtown)
Lockheed Martin has major Philadelphia-suburb engineering operations. Defense mechatronics work.
Boeing (Ridley Park, eastern PA)
Boeing's helicopter manufacturing facility in Ridley Park (Philadelphia suburb). Heavy precision-assembly mechatronics work.
Air Products (Allentown)
Industrial gas manufacturer with heavy process-engineering and instrumentation work. Strong mechatronics engineering presence.
Mechatronics engineer salary in Pennsylvania
- Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141) in PA: median around $90,000 to $99,000.
- Engineers, All Other (SOC 17-2199, includes mechatronics engineers) in PA: median around $95,000 to $105,000.
- Electrical Engineers (SOC 17-2071) in PA: median around $98,000 to $108,000.
- Entry-level BS graduate wages: $68,000 to $80,000 typical in PA manufacturing. Pittsburgh robotics startups and Philadelphia pharma pay 10 to 20 percent above this range for new grads with strong portfolios.
- Cost of living in Pittsburgh and Erie runs around 90 percent of US average. Philadelphia metro runs around 105 percent of US average. State College and Allentown run around 95 percent of US average.
Paying for a mechatronics bachelor's in Pennsylvania
- PennWest California in-state tuition: around $7,716 per year. Among the cheapest ETAC mechatronics BS programs in the country.
- Penn State Commonwealth campus in-state tuition: around $19,286 per year for EMET program campuses. Penn State University Park costs more.
- Pennsylvania State Grant Program (PHEAA): need-based state grant up to about $5,500 per year for PA residents.
- Federal Pell Grants: up to $7,395 per year for eligible students.
- Penn State institutional aid: merit-based scholarships available to reduce sticker price for strong applicants.
Best Pennsylvania cities for mechatronics careers
Pittsburgh / Western PA
The PA mechatronics gravity story. CMU Robotics Institute plus the broader robotics startup cluster. Aurora, Aptiv, Westinghouse, U.S. Steel. Strong cost-of-living value.
California, PA
Home to PennWest California. Small town in southwest PA, about 35 miles south of Pittsburgh. Connected to the Pittsburgh job market by commute or relocation post-graduation.
Reading / Berks County
Home to Penn State Berks (one of the 5 EMET campuses). Manufacturing base in eastern PA including East Penn Manufacturing (Deka batteries), Carpenter Technology (specialty metals), and the East Penn / Berks supplier base.
Altoona / Central PA
Home to Penn State Altoona EMET campus. Penn State Altoona has additional engineering programs and serves central PA manufacturing.
Allentown / Lehigh Valley
Mack Trucks, Air Products, Lutron Electronics. Major eastern PA manufacturing base. Penn State Berks accessible.
Philadelphia metro
GSK, Merck, Wyeth pharmaceutical manufacturing. Lockheed Martin, Boeing helicopter. Higher cost of living but strong engineering employment.
How we ranked Pennsylvania mechatronics programs
Every program scored on our 7-factor methodology: accreditation (25 percent), program leadership (15 percent), pathways and laddering (15 percent), delivery format (15 percent), employer signal (15 percent), cost and affordability (10 percent), reputation (5 percent). See the full methodology breakdown. PennWest scores higher on cost (PASSHE tuition is materially below Penn State). Penn State scores higher on reputation (institutional brand). Both score equally on accreditation (ETAC).
Pennsylvania mechatronics bachelor's: frequently asked questions
Which Pennsylvania school has the best mechatronics bachelor's degree?
How much does a Pennsylvania mechatronics bachelor's cost?
What does a mechatronics engineer earn in Pennsylvania?
Is Penn State Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology really a mechatronics degree?
What's special about PennWest's mechatronics program?
Sources
- BLS OEWS for SOC 17-2141, 17-2199, 17-2071 in Pennsylvania, May 2024 release.
- PHEAA Pennsylvania State Grant Program eligibility.
- Pittsburgh Robotics Network: regional robotics cluster employer and ecosystem data.
- PA Department of Community and Economic Development: manufacturing employment and investment data.
- PennWest BS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology program page.
- Penn State BS in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology program page.
- ABET Accredited Program Search: PennWest and Penn State EMET ETAC accreditation status.
- MSCHE: Middle States Commission on Higher Education institutional accreditation for both universities.