[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 353 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general mechanical engineering students.
For return on investment in general mechanical engineering, no school beat Princeton University this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $85,328 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $18,131. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $76,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $13,232. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,905. Set against $13,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $55,405. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #5 place for general mechanical engineering. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $71,359 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,040. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $65,252 early in their careers. Set against $19,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #7 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,533 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $65,938 early in their careers. Set against $17,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Utah Valley University earned the #8 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Sacramento earned the #9 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. 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 $66,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Oakland University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,213. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #11 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $71,335. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #12 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,455 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,040. Set against $17,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
California State University Long Beach placed #13 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $17,653 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $60,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $79,016. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #15 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,688. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #16 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,613. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $78,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #18 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,750. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $82,823. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California San Diego earned the #19 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,555. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #20 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,025 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $66,298 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,025 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #21 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,025 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #22 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $60,924 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,783. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,046. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #24 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $13,200. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $88,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #25 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $66,947. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general mechanical engineering this year:
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 · 353 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 353 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
