2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the Southwest Region
[Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering technology students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the Southwest 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
University Of Houston earned the #1 spot for value among mechanical engineering technology schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $61,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Oklahoma State University earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,795 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $57,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $24,240 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $59,941. That is a strong return on a $24,240 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sam Houston State University earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $23,302 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $61,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Tarleton State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $21,000. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $51,917. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $64,891. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $30,027. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $56,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Western Technical College El Paso placed #9 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of El Paso, Western Technical College El Paso is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $21,267. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Western Technical College El Paso generally make around $38,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Letourneau University came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Longview. In-state tuition and fees average $37,160. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $32,086. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Letourneau University generally make around $52,625. That is a strong return on a $32,086 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
