2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Middlesex County College, our #1 best value for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $11,652. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $48,372. That is a strong return on a $11,652 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Monroe Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $12,921. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Camden County College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. 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.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician will find it at Erie Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
County College Of Morris placed #6 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College earned the #7 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Students borrow a median of $12,623 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $35,781. That is a strong return on a $12,623 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,900 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. Set against $11,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,409 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $62,223. Set against $17,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $24,436. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $57,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $11,154. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $43,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology came in at #12 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $40,859. That is a strong return on a $9,915 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earned the #13 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,625, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $22,108 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $62,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,108 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $60,968. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $41,382. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,742, while out-of-state students pay about $15,769. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $24,377. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $58,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #17 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,755 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cobleskill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earn a median of $31,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College placed #19 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $22,917 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College generally make around $57,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $69,261. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Flushing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,810. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $27,250. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology earn a median of $51,567 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt.
Narrow Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools by State
More Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Rankings
View All Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.