[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 375 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general mechanical engineering schools.
Finding the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering School for You
Where you study general mechanical engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $85,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Tacoma Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,507, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $14,822. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,131 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $84,811. Set against $18,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $55,405. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #5 place for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $71,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fullerton placed #6 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $19,040 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $81,909. That is a strong return on a $19,040 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny City College placed #7 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $13,232. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Snow College placed #8 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #9 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $8,858. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno placed #10 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,533 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $65,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $91,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $75,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #14 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,750. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,335. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #15 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,455 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,455 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #16 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $17,653 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $69,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,950. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $87,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #18 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $93,954. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #19 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,613. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,943. That is a strong return on a $17,613 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $88,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $91,276 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Tulsa Community College placed #22 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
University Of Central Florida landed the #23 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,025 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,664. Set against $22,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University placed #24 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,025. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $68,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #25 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $92,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general mechanical engineering this year:
General Mechanical Engineering Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Mechanical Engineering. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 375 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 375 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).
[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
