Any advice on my options for a degree in mechanical engineering?

Michelle, there are numerous options for educational opportunities out there. Yes, by all means, STAY in the Reserves. You can complete a full career as a Reservist (and OOHH, that pension check is really sweet!). The duty is not onerous, you maintain your service relationships and benefits, and lots of temporary active duty is available if you have spare time and want extra $$. My daughter, Danielle, finished high school one year early, went straight to college and earned an Associate in Science, joined the Air Force and immediately earned a second AAS, leaped into their undergrad program for a Bachelor of Science degree, and completed her MBA - did I mention she completed all of that by age 23, married, with twins, in the Air Force? She went to classroom schools, but finished both her BoS and MBA programs online through the Air Force via George Washington University (online) and the American Sentinel University (online). I'm going to offer you the same advice I gave my daughter. No matter what you select for your education...DO IT NOW! Do not put it off. When you finish your degree program, you will be so far ahead of your peer group that it's ridiculous how many doors will open for you. And, here's another clue. I always used my workplace vacation time to cover my annual Reserve two-week active duty (I earned two weeks of full-time military $$ as well as my civilian job's pay - BONUS!). Hard duty - NOT! That two weeks back with my military unit/friends was the best vacation anyone could ask for. Talk to your educational guidance counselor about school $$ available through military sources - both active and reserve. Both systems have education support fund programs.

Syracuse, NY is where my nephew graduated in ME four years ago. He just got his masters in program management and is earning in the 6 digits. UNH, Dover, NH is a decent ME school, as is Penn State.

If you transfer to the Reserves or Guard get a lot of information in writing. If your command is willing to not schedule your annual tour during the school year and permit you to take care of it while you are on your breaks from college, then go for it. Otherwise get out and re enter when you complete your degree.

I had to schedule a bunch of my Airmen's AT while they were on break from college. They missed out on a lot of good training, but when they graduated they paid the piper. All of that training they missed came back to them while their peers watched.