[Engineering Mechanics](/majors/engineering/engineering-mechanics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering mechanics students.
Finding the Best Value Engineering Mechanics School for You
The right engineering mechanics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Engineering Mechanics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Engineering Mechanics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2027 list of the best value engineering mechanics schools in the United States. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Engineering Mechanics graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career engineering mechanics graduates make about $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in engineering mechanics will find it at Missouri University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the engineering mechanics program here. Early-career engineering mechanics graduates make about $74,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for engineering mechanics. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering mechanics graduates is $26,432. Early-career engineering mechanics graduates make about $72,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering mechanics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Engineering Mechanics graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering mechanics graduates make about $81,735. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 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).
[Engineering Mechanics](/majors/engineering/engineering-mechanics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
