The rankings
- 1
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona · Pomona, CA
BS in Electromechanical Systems Engineering Technology
Cal Poly Pomona's BS in Electromechanical Systems Engineering Technology is one of only a handful of ETAC-accredited electromechanical/mechatronics-flavored BS programs in California. Housed in CPP's Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology Department. Strong placement into Southern California manufacturing and aerospace cluster including SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.
Visit program pageTuition: $7,200/yr
Length: 48 months
Format: on-campus
ABET: ETAC
Overall
71
of 100
Click any factor for details
25% 8515% 6015% 7515% 7015% 5010% 805% 65
What jobs you can get with a bachelor's in mechatronics
The BLS does not maintain a "mechatronics engineer" SOC code, so graduates of bachelor's mechatronics programs distribute across four BLS classifications depending on work emphasis: Mechanical Engineers (17-2141, median $$102,320), Electrical Engineers (17-2071, median $$111,910), Electronics Engineers (17-2072, median $$127,590), and Engineers All Other (17-2199, includes controls and robotics engineers, median $$116,030).
SOC 17-2199 · $116,030 median
Controls Engineer
The most common engineer-tier landing role for mechatronics BS graduates in manufacturing. Designs PLC programs, SCADA systems, process control. Median $116K per BLS.
Full career profile →
SOC 17-2199 · $116,030 median
Automation Engineer
Designs end-to-end production cells: robots, conveyors, vision, safety, PLCs. The discrete-manufacturing engineer-tier title; same SOC and pay band as controls engineer.
Full career profile →
SOC 17-2141 · $102,320 median
Mechanical Engineer
The largest engineering discipline by US employment (293,100 jobs). Mechatronics graduates often land here when work emphasizes mechanical design with embedded electronics. Median $102K.
Full career profile →
SOC 17-2071 · $111,910 median
Electrical Engineer
For mechatronics graduates whose work biases toward motor drives, power electronics, and instrumentation. Median $112K.
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SOC 17-2199 · $116,030 median
Robotics Engineer
Designs robotic systems end-to-end. Frontier sub-niches (autonomous vehicles, surgical robotics, humanoid robotics) consistently top $300K total compensation at senior levels.
Full career profile →
Salary outlook for bachelor's graduates
Entry pay for ABET-EAC mechatronics BS graduates typically $70,000-$95,000 base in most US metros. Top-tier employers (SpaceX, Apple, Tesla, top defense primes) start $100K-$140K base in expensive metros. EV battery plants and semiconductor fabs are paying premium rates through 2028 — $90K-$115K base for new graduates in plant-engineering roles.
Per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook data for SOC 17-2199 (Engineers, All Other (incl. Robotics and Controls Engineers)), May 2024 OEWS:
| Percentile | Annual wage | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| 50th (median) | $116,030 | 5-10 years experience |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Engineers, All Other (incl. Robotics and Controls Engineers)
Pay rises significantly with experience and credential stacking. See the full Controls Engineer career profile for the complete pay progression across career stages and the named employers paying at each level.
Certifications to pair with this bachelor's
The bachelor's mechatronics credential's career impact is strongest when paired with industry-recognized certifications. The highest-leverage credentials to add:
NCEES · $175
FE Exam
Step 1 of the PE licensure pathway. Required during senior year for ABET-EAC graduates pursuing engineering licensure. $175 fee.
Full credential guide →
NCEES / State licensing boards · $375
PE Licensure
Engineering licensure granted state-by-state. PE Control Systems is the closest topical match for mechatronics-engineering work.
Full credential guide →
Siemens · $250
Siemens SMSCP
Optional but useful — SMSCP Level 3 signals hands-on mechatronics depth complementing the engineering BS.
Full credential guide →
Compare all 7 mechatronics credentials →
How to evaluate a bachelor's program
Beyond the ranked list above, use these criteria when comparing specific programs side-by-side. Each criterion is one of the data inputs we use in our 7-factor scoring methodology.
- ABET accreditation commission (EAC vs ETAC). ABET-EAC is the engineering accreditation that unlocks the FE-to-PE pathway in every US state. ABET-ETAC is engineering technology — PE-eligible in roughly 30 states with additional experience. Pick based on whether you plan PE licensure.
- Co-op or internship program. Most ABET-EAC graduates with strong career outcomes have 2+ engineering internships or a co-op (Drexel, Northeastern, Cincinnati, Kettering, RIT). The internship-to-full-time conversion is the dominant entry pathway at large engineering employers.
- Industry partnerships and capstone-project sponsors. Strong engineering programs run capstone projects sponsored by named industry partners. Look for active sponsor lists with local large-employer participation.
- Lab and research facility currency. Modern engineering education requires current-generation equipment: CAD workstations (SolidWorks, NX, CATIA), FEA tools (ANSYS), PLC trainers (Studio 5000, TIA Portal), at least one industrial robot, embedded systems hardware.
- Faculty research and credentials. For research-leaning candidates and those considering graduate school, faculty research alignment with target specialty area matters. Review faculty publications and active research grants.
- Total cost-of-attendance reality. Sticker tuition is misleading. Net cost after Pell, state aid, merit scholarships, and federal loans is the real number. Calculate before assuming you can't afford a specific institution.
Cost & funding sources
In-state public university tuition typically runs $7,000-$26,000 per year. Out-of-state public and private university tuition runs $30,000-$60,000 per year. Total degree cost ranges $30,000-$240,000 depending on residency, institution type, and aid package. Public state universities in mechatronics-engineering states (Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina) often net under $40,000 for in-state students after aid.
The most common funding sources for bachelor's mechatronics candidates:
- Federal Pell Grant (typically not at private universities; common at public state universities)
- Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Direct PLUS Loans for parents
- State-resident tuition discounts at public universities
- Merit scholarships (institutional + external like Society of Manufacturing Engineers)
- Employer-sponsored cooperative education (co-op) programs (Drexel, Northeastern, Cincinnati, Kettering, RIT)
- GI Bill (Post-9/11 covers in-state public tuition plus housing allowance)
- ROTC scholarships (full tuition for engineering majors in exchange for military service commitment)
Time to credential & starting pay
How long it takes
Four years (8 semesters) for traditional full-time enrollment, typically 128 credit hours. Co-op programs (Drexel, Northeastern, Cincinnati, Kettering, RIT) extend to 5 years but include 12-18 months of paid full-time engineering work. Part-time and transfer paths extend to 5-7 years.
What you'll earn coming out
Entry pay for ABET-EAC mechatronics BS graduates typically $70,000-$95,000 base in most US metros. Top-tier employers (SpaceX, Apple, Tesla, top defense primes) start $100K-$140K base in expensive metros. EV battery plants and semiconductor fabs are paying premium rates through 2028 — $90K-$115K base for new graduates in plant-engineering roles.
Adjacent credentials to compare
The bachelor's mechatronics credential is one of several closely-related credential paths. The right choice depends on your career direction, timeline, and financial situation.
| Credential | Tradeoff |
|---|---|
| BS in Mechanical Engineering with mechatronics electives | Broader employer recognition (mechanical is the largest US engineering discipline). Less integrated electrical-controls depth than dedicated mechatronics. Often easier to find than dedicated mechatronics BS. |
| BS in Electrical Engineering with controls/robotics specialty | Stronger electrical-side fundamentals. Mechanical design depth limited unless dual-major or strong electives. |
| BS in Robotics Engineering | Dedicated robotics-specific track (WPI, Lawrence Tech, others). Better for robotics-frontier careers; narrower employer base. |
| AAS in Mechatronics | 2 years instead of 4. Leads to technician-tier roles ($48K-$70K) rather than engineer-tier ($70K-$170K). No PE pathway. |
How we ranked these programs
Each program in this list is scored 0-100 across seven weighted factors. The scoring is deterministic — same methodology applied to every program with no editorial thumb on the scale. Per-factor scores are computed from data points we maintain in our program directory: accreditation status, named industry partners, tuition, format, partnership history.
- Accreditation (25%): Active accreditation from the recognized body in this field, plus continuous accreditation history.
- Program leadership (15%): Program director credentials, tenure, and ongoing professional involvement.
- Pathways & laddering (15%): Stackable credentials, articulation agreements, and graduate-pathway support.
- Delivery format (15%): Online/hybrid/in-person flexibility, residency requirements, and start dates.
- Employer signal (15%): Documented hiring partnerships, internship placements, and graduate placement.
- Cost & affordability (10%): In-state and online tuition, transparent fees, and aid availability.
- Reputation (5%): Institutional reputation, regional accreditation, and student satisfaction signals.
The methodology is constant across every ranking we publish — national, state, city, and modifier-prefixed pages all use the same factor weights. Full methodology details and per-factor scoring logic.
Pitfalls & things to know
- Don't choose ABET-ETAC if you need ABET-EAC. ETAC degrees limit PE licensure eligibility in about 20 US states and require additional qualifying experience in others. If PE matters to your career, choose EAC.
- Internships matter more than GPA at most US employers. Two strong engineering internships beat a 4.0 with no work experience. Optimize for co-op or internship access when choosing a program.
- Mechatronics graduates may face thermal-systems and CFD gaps. Compared to traditional mechanical engineering graduates, mechatronics curricula often shorter on thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and CFD. If you want HVAC, energy, or propulsion roles, plan to fill gaps via electives.
- Non-ABET BS programs limit options. Some smaller schools market "engineering" BS programs that are not ABET-accredited. Avoid — these close off the PE pathway and filter out of many large-employer hiring funnels.
- The PE pathway is optional for most mechatronics careers. Most private-industry mechatronics engineers (automotive OEMs, semiconductor, robotics, big-tech hardware) do not need PE licensure. The "industrial exemption" in most state codes covers them. Pursue PE only if your career direction is toward consulting or public-sector work.
Frequently asked questions
How are these programs ranked?
Is this the complete list of US programs?
How current is this data?
Does the program need ABET-EAC accreditation for PE licensure?
Do I need a PE for a mechatronics engineering career?
What certifications should I pair with this credential?
Sources & methodology
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Engineers, All Other (incl. Robotics and Controls Engineers) (SOC 17-2199). May 2024 OEWS release.
- BLS OEWS Industry Tables. Employment by industry.
- ABET Accredited Programs Directory. EAC and ETAC accreditation status.
- NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying). FE and PE exam administration.
- Our 7-factor ranking methodology. Per-factor scoring logic and weights.
Program details verified as of 2026-05-19. BLS wage data is from May 2024 OEWS release. Tuition figures from state community-college system tuition tables and individual institutional pages. Pay-percentile values between published 10/50/90 BLS anchors are interpolated.