2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in general mechanical engineering in California. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,040. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $81,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University 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 $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $13,000. 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.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,533. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,938. Set against $17,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $71,359. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,653. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,823. That is a strong return on a $17,653 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. 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. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,455. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #7 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $132,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 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. 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. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $91,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,399. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,511. That is a strong return on a $19,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #10 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,633. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California Merced landed the #11 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $18,500. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,096. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Francisco State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,047 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $72,647. That is a strong return on a $22,047 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #13 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Riverside landed the #14 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $62,554 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #15 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $15,908. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $81,108 early in their careers. Set against $15,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #16 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. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley placed #17 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $13,200. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $97,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,200 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,354 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $73,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $15,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $84,928. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #20 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $87,761 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
San Diego State University landed the #21 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,994. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $69,754 early in their careers. Set against $19,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
California Maritime Academy landed the #22 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,559, with out-of-state students paying around $22,159. Students borrow a median of $19,690 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California Maritime Academy earn a median of $92,315 early in their careers. Set against $19,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
University Of The Pacific earned the #24 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,596 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $76,785 early in their careers. Set against $28,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
California Baptist University earned the #25 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $72,224. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general mechanical engineering this year:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.
