[Manufacturing Engineering](/majors/engineering/manufacturing-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong manufacturing engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for manufacturing engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Manufacturing Engineering School for You
The manufacturing engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona tops our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $79,549. Set against $17,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in manufacturing engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #3 place for manufacturing engineering. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for manufacturing engineering. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering graduates is $18,500. Manufacturing Engineering graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $68,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #6 position for value in manufacturing engineering this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering graduates is $23,312. Manufacturing Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Arizona State University earned the #7 position for value in manufacturing engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,253 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $74,119. Set against $24,253 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wichita State University earned the #8 position for value in manufacturing engineering this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University came in at #9 for value in manufacturing engineering this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $83,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #10 for value in manufacturing engineering this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the manufacturing engineering program here. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $69,520. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #11 among the best values for manufacturing engineering. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering graduates is $19,273. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $61,010. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #12 among the best values for manufacturing engineering. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the manufacturing engineering program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the manufacturing engineering program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $76,754. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #14 among the best values for manufacturing engineering. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $68,886 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,814 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $83,497. Set against $29,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Universidad Politecnica De Puerto Rico Hato Rey Campus placed #16 among the best values for manufacturing engineering. Set in the city of Hato Rey, Universidad Politecnica De Puerto Rico Hato Rey Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,870. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering graduates is $23,182. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering degree recipients from Universidad Politecnica De Puerto Rico Hato Rey Campus generally make around $29,146. That is a strong return on a $23,182 median debt.
Oregon State University placed #17 among the best values for manufacturing engineering. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering graduates is $21,457. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $72,154. Set against $21,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $93,432. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Washington University landed the #19 spot for manufacturing engineering value this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $21,425 to complete the manufacturing engineering program here. Manufacturing Engineering graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $65,863 early in their careers. Set against $21,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #20 for value in manufacturing engineering this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Bradley University placed #21 among the best values for manufacturing engineering. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $67,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
National University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering graduates is $30,426. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $69,080. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #23 for value in manufacturing engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the manufacturing engineering program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering graduates make about $76,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #24 spot for manufacturing engineering value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,477. Students borrow a median of $34,996 to complete the manufacturing engineering program here. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering degree recipients from Dunwoody College Of Technology generally make around $77,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Northwestern University placed #25 among the best values for manufacturing engineering. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in manufacturing engineering:
The ranking above is published 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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).
[Manufacturing Engineering](/majors/engineering/manufacturing-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong manufacturing engineering education at a price that pays off.
