2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

[Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/mechanical-engineering-mechanical-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students.
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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 Middlesex County College the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician in the United States. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $37,975. 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 Triton College, which ranked #2. 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.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,652 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #4 makes Cincinnati State Technical And Community College one of the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $15,017. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,873 early in their careers. 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 Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. 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 #6 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,395 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $54,793. That is a strong return on a $7,395 median debt.
Sinclair Community College placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $48,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Monroe Community College earned the #9 position 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. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Stark State College ranked #10 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. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $35,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $39,549. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #12 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $18,500 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 $56,819. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Columbus State Community College earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Erie Community College came in at #15 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
Onondaga Community College came in at #17 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $12,623. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Universidad Del Turabo came in at #18 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $5,576. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $28,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $61,021. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $17,900 median debt.
Farmingdale State College placed #21 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $17,409 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $62,223. That is a strong return on a $17,409 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #22 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Students borrow a median of $11,900 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $38,373. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.
Weber State University earned the #23 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $18,280 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $64,828 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Manati ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Manati, Instituto Tecnologico De Puerto Rico Recinto De Manati is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,900. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,293. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #25 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. That is a strong return on a $16,595 median debt.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician:
Other Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:
View All Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Rankings >
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.