by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 140 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering technology students.
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The right mechanical engineering technology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechanical engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Skyline College earned the #1 spot for value among mechanical engineering technology schools in the United States. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at Indian River State College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, which ranked #5. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $34,762. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #6 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $19,139. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $46,748. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College came in at #8 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. 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, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $15,017. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $45,873. Set against $15,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #10 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Pensacola State College landed the #11 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. 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 technology graduates is $11,652. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $48,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $14,636. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College placed #15 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,395 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $54,793. Set against $7,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College earned the #16 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. 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 technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Sinclair Community College placed #18 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $12,525. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $48,312 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College earned the #19 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,669 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $41,947. Set against $8,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Northwest came in at #20 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $65,059. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Monroe Community College earned the #21 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $12,921. Mechanical Engineering Technology 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 placed #22 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $17,349. Mechanical Engineering Technology 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.
Bishop State Community College placed #23 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $13,712. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Bishop State Community College generally make around $35,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $39,549. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah Technical College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $12,843. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $37,386. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for mechanical engineering technology this year:
Mechanical Engineering Technology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
View All Mechanical Engineering Technology Concentrations >
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 · 140 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 140 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.