2026 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
Cuny New York City College Of Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,652 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $48,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,652 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes North Central State College one of the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. 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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Farmingdale State College earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $17,409 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $62,223 early in their careers. Set against $17,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $18,280 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $64,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairmont State University earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $54,410. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #7 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $25,319 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $66,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $24,354. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $64,243. Set against $24,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University came in at #9 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $27,000. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $66,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #10 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $65,385. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana State University came in at #11 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $26,990. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $66,479. Set against $26,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Youngstown State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $35,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $56,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $67,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Houston earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $61,163. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public school located in the city of Manchester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,838, with out-of-state students paying around $36,418. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $26,277 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $64,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,108 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $62,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University placed #17 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,380 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $65,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #18 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $24,436 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $57,431. Set against $24,436 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #20 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $24,240. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $59,941. Set against $24,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #21 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $27,000. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $60,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #22 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $32,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $72,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #23 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $60,968 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $24,749. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $61,835. That is a strong return on a $24,749 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #25 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value ranking:
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:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 247 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
[Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/mechanical-engineering-mechanical-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
