2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools
[Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/mechanical-engineering-mechanical-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 98 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students.
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Finding the Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician School for You
The mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician in the United States. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Triton College one of the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $12,994. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician will find it at Wayne Community College, which ranked #4. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,017 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $45,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $11,861. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,652 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $48,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #9 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College placed #10 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $7,230. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $34,948. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #11 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,395 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $54,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College placed #12 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $47,458. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $12,525. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $48,312 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $25,000. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $65,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Monroe Community College came in at #15 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Stark State College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $35,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Camden County College placed #17 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,999 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $39,549 early in their careers. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland State Community College landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Students borrow a median of $8,742 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Cleveland State Community College generally make around $40,513. Set against $8,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alamance Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #20 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $11,889. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Mchenry County College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State Community College earned the #22 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $43,481. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #23 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,540, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ogeechee Technical College placed #24 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Statesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $3,388, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $11,894. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $61,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 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.
