2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 61 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general mechanical engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
Oakland University earned the #1 spot for value among general mechanical engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $91,832. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,950 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $87,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,750. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $92,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $69,871 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at Purdue University Northwest, which ranked #5. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,250. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,632. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Stark State College earned the #6 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne State University placed #7 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $24,140 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $85,140. That is a strong return on a $24,140 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $20,500. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $92,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #9 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,999. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,937 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $101,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,679. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $76,823. That is a strong return on a $26,679 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior State University landed the #12 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,901 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,229. That is a strong return on a $26,901 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #13 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,477. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
Youngstown State University came in at #14 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $68,061. Set against $24,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University came in at #15 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $80,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $74,974. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #17 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $82,161. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,448. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #19 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $78,552. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #20 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $69,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #21 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,119. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $64,534 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Lake Campus came in at #22 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Celina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,372, while out-of-state students pay about $17,072. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wright State University Lake Campus generally make around $66,331. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #23 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,110. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,546. Set against $23,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cleveland State University landed the #24 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $67,980. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $88,747 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general mechanical engineering value ranking:
Narrow General Mechanical Engineering Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
