2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in North Carolina
[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 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 11 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 North Carolina
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
Wayne Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools in North Carolina. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alamance Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell 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 town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,651, while out-of-state students pay about $8,795. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Mitchell Community College earn a median of $40,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Beaufort County Community College one of the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $38,009. Set against $7,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pitt Community College placed #6 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. 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. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $19,741. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $43,022. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $17,900 median debt.
Catawba Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,427, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $9,842. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $38,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College came in at #9 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,882, while out-of-state students pay about $9,026. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $18,883 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earn a median of $37,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Guilford Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,320, with out-of-state students paying around $7,696. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Guilford Technical Community College earn a median of $36,124 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,501 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #11 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. 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 $60,048. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
