2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Indiana

[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
Purdue University Northwest earned the #1 spot for value among general mechanical engineering schools in Indiana. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,632. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $19,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern Indiana one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,999. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned it the #4 place for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $64,534. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Valparaiso University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $68,265 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Evansville ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,172. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,010. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $66,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Evansville admits about 78% of applicants.
Indiana Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,361 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $36,380 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology earn a median of $56,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,380 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Trine University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Angola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,560. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Trine University generally make around $66,816. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trine University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #9 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $84,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology placed #10 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,046. Students borrow a median of $25,612 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology generally make around $78,732. Set against $25,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
More General Mechanical Engineering Rankings
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.