2023 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering in California (With Aid)
28
Ranked Colleges
5,137
Degrees Awarded
$15,800
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 46,178 people earned their degree in general mechanical engineering, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States.
Across California, there were 5,137 general mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 28 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general mechanical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general mechanical engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general mechanical engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 California For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for california general mechanical engineering students with aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering in California (With Aid)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 253 students in 2020-2021.
Stanford also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $12,894 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Stanford University General Mechanical Engineering Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 252 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general mechanical engineering students with aid list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,023 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #3 spot on the list. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 379 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $15,240 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at UCSD
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 173 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
Cal State LA also took the #25 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $3,302 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State LA General Mechanical Engineering Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 274 students in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $15,768 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at UC Davis
University of California - Berkeley ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 320 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of California - Berkeley General Mechanical Engineering Report
With a ranking of #7, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 234 students in 2020-2021.
CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $8,523 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Northridge
University of California - Irvine came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 359 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california general mechanical engineering students with aid list, UC Irvine has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $12,209 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid per year to attend University of California - Irvine.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Irvine
California State University - Fullerton landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 211 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $8,003 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 89%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Cal State Fullerton
California State University - Long Beach ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 194 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSULB, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,054 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Long Beach
San Diego State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 243 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full San Diego State University General Mechanical Engineering Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Pomona, California, and it awarded 247 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $14,304 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona
California State University - Sacramento landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 229 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Sacramento
California State University - Fresno ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fresno is a large school located in Fresno, California that handed out 71 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,230 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fresno.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 California State University - Fresno General Mechanical Engineering Report
With a ranking of #15, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 93 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,252 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Santa Barbara
University of California - Riverside came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Riverside is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 144 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california general mechanical engineering students with aid list, UCR has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $11,822 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Riverside
With a ranking of #17, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 209 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,542 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid per year to attend San Jose State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 86%.
Full San Jose State General Mechanical Engineering Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 321 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california general mechanical engineering students with aid list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo General Mechanical Engineering Report
California State University - Chico ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Chico State is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 72 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,218 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Chico
University of California - Merced landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC Merced is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 171 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Merced also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend UC Merced is $13,691 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 86%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UC Merced
San Francisco State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $14,459 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid per year to attend San Francisco State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at San Francisco State University
California State University Maritime Academy ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Cal Maritime is a small public school situated in Vallejo, California. It awarded 19 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Maritime also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend California State University Maritime Academy is $21,743 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University Maritime Academy General Mechanical Engineering Report
California Baptist University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal Baptist is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 58 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal Baptist did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California Baptist University is $26,719 for california general mechanical engineering students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Cal Baptist
University of Southern California came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 217 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $32,569 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid per year to attend University of Southern California.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full USC General Mechanical Engineering Report
Santa Clara University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Santa Clara, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 71 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general mechanical engineering students with aid list, SCU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SCU is $42,614 for California General Mechanical Engineering students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Santa Clara University General Mechanical Engineering Report
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