2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering technology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools
Macomb Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $9,862. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at Triton College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $15,017 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,873 early in their careers. 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 Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #4. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes North Central State College one of the best values for mechanical engineering technology. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Sinclair Community College earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $48,312. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College earned the #7 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. 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. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Northwest placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. 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. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Mchenry County College placed #9 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State Community College earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $15,406. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Edison State Community College generally make around $43,481. That is a strong return on a $15,406 median debt.
Ferris State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $23,500. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $61,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $61,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College earned the #15 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Set against $16,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $26,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $66,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Glen Oaks Community College earned the #17 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Glen Oaks Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Centreville. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,624. Students borrow a median of $13,764 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Glen Oaks Community College generally make around $46,226. That is a strong return on a $13,764 median debt.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas earned the #18 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $15,387 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $36,464. That is a strong return on a $15,387 median debt.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #19 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $62,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #20 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $65,385. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #21 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $29,349. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $56,656 early in their careers. Set against $29,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $23,666. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $57,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Michigan Technological University earned the #23 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,875 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $61,443. Set against $29,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $67,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Northern Michigan University came in at #25 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $22,608. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $54,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical engineering technology value ranking:
Narrow Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools by State
More Mechanical Engineering Technology Rankings
View All Mechanical Engineering Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
