2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools
Pensacola State College earned the #1 spot for value among mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College 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 Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College 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 Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $38,009. Set against $7,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician will find it at Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute, which ranked #5. Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hudson. Students from in state pay about $2,528 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,528. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earn a median of $44,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $16,374. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $38,094. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Isothermal Community College landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,030, with out-of-state students paying around $6,638. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Isothermal Community College earn a median of $47,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pitt Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,741 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Augusta Technical College came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Augusta. Students from in state pay about $4,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Augusta Technical College earn a median of $41,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Catawba Valley Community College placed #11 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Set in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,427, with out-of-state students paying around $7,803. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $9,842. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $38,219 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairmont State University came in at #12 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $54,410. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College came in at #13 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,882, with out-of-state students paying around $9,026. Students borrow a median of $18,883 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earn a median of $37,459 early in their careers. Set against $18,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Guilford Technical Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,320, with out-of-state students paying around $7,696. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $20,501. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $36,124. Set against $20,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $60,048. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $64,339 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
South Carolina State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,060, with out-of-state students paying around $21,750. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $31,740. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $39,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Ecpi University placed #18 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Ecpi University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,484. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $29,810 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $64,003. Set against $29,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ecpi University admits about 74% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
