Best US Colleges for Mechanical Engineering?

I'm really interested in mechanical engineering and planning to stay in California for college. What are some of the best colleges for mechanical engineering within the state? Any personal experiences or suggestions would be awesome!

California is home to many exceptional Mechanical Engineering programs. Here are some notable ones you might want to consider:

1. Stanford University: Stanford's Mechanical Engineering program is one of the best in the country. Their curriculum combines the fundamentals of mechanical engineering with specialization areas to foster learning and discovery.

2. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley): UC Berkeley's Mechanical Engineering department provides a strong foundation in engineering principles. They also offer many opportunities for research and innovation.

3. California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Caltech's program is known for its high-level research opportunities and small student-to-faculty ratio, which allows for more intimate and personalized learning experiences.

4. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has a stellar Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department. Like Stanford and Berkeley, their curriculum has a strong emphasis on innovation and applied research.

5. University of Southern California (USC): USC's Viterbi School of Engineering offers a broad-based mechanical engineering degree with several opportunities to specialize in areas such as energy, nanotechnology, and robotics.

6. University of California, San Diego (UCSD): UCSD's Jacobs School of Engineering provides a well-rounded curriculum that prepares students for a multitude of careers in Mechanical Engineering.

Remember that the best college for you is not just about rankings, but also the culture, opportunities for internships and co-ops, availability of research projects, class size, and everything else that could shape your college experience. For instance, Stanford and Caltech could offer more intimate class settings due to their smaller size compared to Berkeley and UCLA. Also remember that graduate outcomes (like job placements and salaries), which you can often find on the school's website, can be an important factor to consider too. Whichever college you choose, make sure it aligns with both your academic and personal goals!