2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
Tacoma Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general mechanical engineering schools in Washington. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,507, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $14,822. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $41,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Olympic College earned it the #2 place for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Students borrow a median of $11,497 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at Spokane Falls Community College, which ranked #3. Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,031 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $34,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Clark College one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $43,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $16,151. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $66,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Everett Community College earned the #6 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,032, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. That is a strong return on a $13,542 median debt.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #7 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $66,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Green River Community College landed the #8 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #9 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $84,226 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Washington University landed the #10 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $26,038 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $62,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Washington State University came in at #11 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $72,690. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Martins University landed the #12 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Saint Martins University generally make around $69,938. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants.
Walla Walla University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,227. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Walla Walla University generally make around $56,616. Set against $27,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Pacific University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $71,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Seattle University landed the #15 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,467 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $67,851 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,467 median debt. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
