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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois

[Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois

2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools

1

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

$13,334 In-State Tuition & Fees

$19,187 Avg Student Debt

$53,390 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Southern Illinois University Carbondale the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering technology in Illinois. 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

$68,322 In-State Tuition & Fees

$16,616 Avg Student Debt

$89,363 Median Earnings (10yr)

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at Northwestern University, which ranked #2. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $93,115 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

View All Mechanical Engineering Technology Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.