What are the best small colleges for mechanical engineering?

I'm interested in studying mechanical engineering and prefer a smaller college environment. Can anyone recommend some small colleges known for their mechanical engineering programs? I'm looking for a good balance of education quality and community feel.

Consider Harvey Mudd College, in Claremont, CA, which is well-regarded for its engineering department and has a student body of around 900 students. The curriculum is rigorous, and the community is very collaborative. Students often work together on problem sets and group projects, creating a strong community feel.

Another option is Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology located in Terre Haute, Indiana. It has a student population of just over 2,000 and is known for its top-tier engineering programs. RHIT fosters a supportive academic environment where professors are accessible and their Teaching Excellence is highly recognized.

Both of these schools excel academically and offer the community feel you're seeking. The class sizes will be smaller, providing you more one-on-one access to your professors, which can be invaluable in engineering programs. They also both have close-knit communities where students are more collaborators than competitors. Be sure to visit any of the schools that interest you, and try to talk to some current students if possible, for the best feel of what the community is like.

Remember that engineering programs can be quite challenging, so it's also good to consider how you'll balance your academic workload with other aspects of your life, such as extracurricular activities, being in an environment that matches your desired lifestyle, and your own personal needs for downtime. Make sure that your school choice isn't just about the academic program, but whether the overall college experience will be a good fit for you.