2027 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Manufacturing Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/industrial-production-technology/manufacturing-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong manufacturing engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for manufacturing engineering technology students.
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2027 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in manufacturing engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools
Leading the list is Macomb Community College, our #1 best value for manufacturing engineering technology in the Great Lakes Region. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in manufacturing engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #4 place for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in manufacturing engineering technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $17,730. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $47,975. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College came in at #6 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #7 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Oakton Community College placed #8 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College placed #9 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Stark State College came in at #10 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $17,349. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport came in at #11 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #12 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $10,623. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $60,215. That is a strong return on a $10,623 median debt.
Edison State Community College came in at #13 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $43,481. That is a strong return on a $15,406 median debt.
College Of Lake County came in at #14 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Ferris State University landed the #15 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $20,500. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $54,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #16 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #18 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Jackson Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #20 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College placed #21 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
Indiana State University placed #22 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $20,500. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $13,319. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $44,020. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University earned the #24 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $16,114. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $50,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College earned the #25 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for manufacturing engineering technology this year:
Narrow Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools by State
More Manufacturing Engineering Technology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
