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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

36 Ranked Colleges
5,649 Degrees Awarded
$10,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 47,598 people earned their degree in general mechanical engineering, making the major the 12th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southwest region, there were 5,649 general mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 36 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general mechanical engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general mechanical engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general mechanical engineering program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rice University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 60 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2019-2020.

Rice also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $7,534 for southwest region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Rice University.

The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Rice

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 116 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $3,473 for southwest region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M University - College Station is located in College Station, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 575 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

Texas A&M College Station not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - College Station is $13,270 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Texas A&M College Station General Mechanical Engineering Report

#4

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas Tech University is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 389 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $13,326 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas Tech.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Texas Tech General Mechanical Engineering Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 292 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is $9,962 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Oklahoma State University - Main Campus General Mechanical Engineering Report

University of North Texas came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 179 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $9,082 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNT.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at UNT

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 344 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $13,575 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full The University of Texas at Austin General Mechanical Engineering Report

The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. The University of Texas at Tyler is located in Tyler, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 117 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

UT Tyler also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for UT Tyler is $7,058 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Tyler

#9

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UH is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 276 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $9,925 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of Houston

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school awarded 411 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $8,921 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ASU - Tempe.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe General Mechanical Engineering Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 214 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,109 for southwest region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UTSA.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at San Antonio

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Odessa, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 55 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Permian Basin has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Permian Basin is $10,221 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full The University of Texas of the Permian Basin General Mechanical Engineering Report

#13

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 143 students in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $11,466 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of Arizona

#14

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Lamar University is a public institution located in Beaumont, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lamar University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lamar University is $10,631 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Lamar University

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at Dallas is a large public school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 277 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $11,745 for southwest region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas at Dallas.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 240 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at El Paso is $7,427 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UTEP

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and it awarded 127 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,006 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus General Mechanical Engineering Report

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Socorro, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 88 students in 2019-2020.

New Mexico Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend New Mexico Tech is $12,297 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at New Mexico Tech

#19

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 50 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend MSU Texas is $8,554 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full MSU Texas General Mechanical Engineering Report

With a ranking of #20, Texas A&M University - Kingsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M University - Kingsville is located in Kingsville, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 97 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,721 for southwest region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas A&M University - Kingsville.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University - Kingsville

#21

Prairie View A & M University

Prairie View, Texas

Prairie View A & M University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Prairie View, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 70 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2019-2020.

PVAMU also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for PVAMU is $13,098 for southwest region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at PVAMU

The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large school located in Arlington, Texas that handed out 304 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend UT Arlington is $12,974 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington

#23

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. NAU is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 173 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,799 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northern Arizona University.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at NAU

#24

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas

West Texas A&M University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. West Texas A&M University is a public institution located in Canyon, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend West Texas A&M University is $10,146 for southwest region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at West Texas A&M University

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 168 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $17,285 for Southwest Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Oklahoma General Mechanical Engineering Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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