2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in Virginia
[Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanical engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering technology students.
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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools
John Tyler Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $11,262. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Tidewater Community College one of the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $54,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.
Virginia State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $65,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ecpi University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Ecpi University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,484. Students borrow a median of $29,810 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Ecpi University generally make around $64,003. That is a strong return on a $29,810 median debt. Ecpi University admits about 74% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
