2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechanical engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked George C Wallace State Community College Dothan the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering technology in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $34,762. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $44,082. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at Wayne Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Pensacola State College earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florence Darlington Technical College earned the #7 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $7,230. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gateway College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Students borrow a median of $8,669 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Florida Gateway College generally make around $41,947. That is a strong return on a $8,669 median debt.
Bishop State Community College earned the #9 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. 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, compared with $9,210 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,712 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Bishop State Community College generally make around $35,475. That is a strong return on a $13,712 median debt.
Savannah Technical College earned the #10 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Savannah Technical College generally make around $37,386. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College came in at #11 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $18,123. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. Set against $18,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alamance Community College placed #12 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $40,090. That is a strong return on a $11,769 median debt.
Cleveland State Community College came in at #14 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $4,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,746. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $8,742. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Cleveland State Community College generally make around $40,513. Set against $8,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College placed #15 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. 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. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $7,947. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Ogeechee Technical College came in at #16 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,388, with out-of-state students paying around $5,956. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $11,894. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Community College placed #17 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,651 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,795. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $6,313. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $40,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pitt Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #19 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $17,900. Mechanical Engineering Technology 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.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College earned the #20 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #21 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $36,453 early in their careers. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia State College landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Douglas. Students from in state pay about $3,314 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,274. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $17,518. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from South Georgia State College generally make around $50,931. That is a strong return on a $17,518 median debt.
Fairmont State University landed the #23 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $54,410. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Catawba Valley Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,427, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,842 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $38,219. Set against $9,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System placed #25 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $30,810 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $69,924. Set against $30,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanical engineering technology:
Narrow Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools by State
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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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
