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2023 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in the Far Western US Region

47 Ranked Colleges
7,287 Degrees Awarded
$14,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Mechanical Engineering is the 21st most popular major in the country with 46,178 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $69,007 and had an average of $23,944 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 7,287 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,682 and $21,000 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking, we looked at 47 colleges that offer a degree in mechanical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality mechanical engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the mechanical engineering program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The me school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region me students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in the Far Western US Region

1

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #1 spot on the list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 234 students in 2020-2021.

CSUN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for far western us region me students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Northridge

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University Maritime Academy. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University Maritime Academy is a public institution located in Vallejo, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal Maritime is $21,743 for Far Western US Region ME students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University Maritime Academy

3

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #3 spot on the list. Cal Poly Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 247 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region me students list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $14,304 for Far Western US Region ME students per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 194 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for Far Western US Region ME students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Long Beach

5

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #5 spot on the list. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 321 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $20,677 for Far Western US Region ME students per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

6
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 243 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for far western us region me students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University

7
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Wazzu is located in Pullman, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 319 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Wazzu also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Wazzu is $15,300 for Far Western US Region ME students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wazzu Mechanical Engineering Report

8
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #8. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 209 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $16,542 for far western us region me students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at San Jose State University

9

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region list. UNR is located in Reno, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 166 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UNR also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend UNR is $14,930 for Far Western US Region ME students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Nevada - Reno

10

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #10. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 211 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,003 for Far Western US Region ME students per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Cal State Fullerton Mechanical Engineering Report

11

California State University - Chico ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 72 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,218 for far western us region me students per year to attend California State University - Chico.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Chico

12

California State University - Sacramento came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 229 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for far western us region me students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Sac State

13
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

With a ranking of #13, Oregon State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Oregon State is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 345 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region me students list, Oregon State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $21,508 for Far Western US Region ME students per year to attend Oregon State.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region list. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 104 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UNLV is $10,993 for far western us region me students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

15

California State University - Fresno came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 71 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for Far Western US Region ME students.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Fresno

16

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 259 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also took the #7 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Seattle is $12,017 for far western us region me students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

17

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 173 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for Far Western US Region ME students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Mechanical Engineering Report

18
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,459 for Far Western US Region ME students per year to attend San Francisco State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at San Francisco State University

19

Portland State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Portland State University is a public institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 139 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,498 for Far Western US Region ME students per year to attend Portland State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Portland State University

20

University of Alaska Fairbanks did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Fairbanks, Alaska, and it awarded 28 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Alaska Fairbanks is $10,510 for far western us region me students.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UAF

21

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #21. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 252 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region me students list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $15,023 for far western us region me students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles

22

University of California - San Diego landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 379 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $15,240 for far western us region me students per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UCSD

23
Walla Walla U crest
Walla Walla University
College Place, Washington

Walla Walla University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Walla Walla U is located in College Place, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Walla Walla U is $22,823 for Far Western US Region ME students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Walla Walla U

24
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 58 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California Baptist University is $26,719 for Far Western US Region ME students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at California Baptist University

25

University of Hawaii at Manoa landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 90 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UH Manoa also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend University of Hawaii at Manoa is $14,687 for Far Western US Region ME students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UH Manoa

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