2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general mechanical engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Montgomery County Community College the best value for a degree in general mechanical engineering in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $15,219. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $39,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York College Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for general mechanical engineering. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $74,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown, which ranked #3. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $71,406. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,330. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $44,294. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dunmore, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,772. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #6 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $86,209 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona earned the #7 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $25,700 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona generally make around $48,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona admits about 98% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #8 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg generally make around $86,209. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Gannon University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #10 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Students borrow a median of $26,307 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $46,912 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,307 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of $69,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earned the #12 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Reading. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks generally make around $69,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $65,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College placed #14 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $48,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,455 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $80,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $63,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,843 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #18 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $85,170 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $22,777 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $85,070. Set against $22,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $86,209. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lafayette College came in at #21 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $72,481. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.
Lehigh University came in at #22 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,950. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $87,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #23 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $83,964 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Bucknell University landed the #24 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,500. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $79,391. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.
Villanova University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,995. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $89,620. Set against $25,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
More General Mechanical Engineering Rankings
View All General Mechanical Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
