2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in New York
[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for general mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
For return on investment in general mechanical engineering, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $13,232 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,820. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $16,805. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $16,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stony Brook University earned it the #4 place for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $75,743. Set against $20,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $88,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #6 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,471 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $60,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,471 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University At Buffalo ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,944 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $71,540 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #8 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,500. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $74,159 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,274. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Maritime College earned the #10 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,589, while out-of-state students pay about $19,159. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Cornell University landed the #11 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $92,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
New York Institute Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,560. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,225 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $56,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattan College earned the #13 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,400. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $74,736. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Manhattan College admits about 79% of applicants.
Alfred University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,138. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Alfred University earn a median of $63,747 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester came in at #15 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $73,828. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Clarkson University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Clarkson University generally make around $83,382. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University landed the #17 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $65,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Union College New York came in at #18 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,039. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Union College New York generally make around $68,407. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $81,660. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #20 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $79,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
New York University placed #21 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,140 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $64,687. Set against $21,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #22 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology earned the #23 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Flushing, Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,810. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology earn a median of $74,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
More General Mechanical Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
