2026 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
For return on investment in general mechanical engineering, no school beat Montgomery County Community College this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,219 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. 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 Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for general mechanical engineering. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,330. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,906, 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%.
A rank of #4 makes York College Pennsylvania one of the best values 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $74,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Saint Vincent College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. In-state tuition and fees average $42,396. Students borrow a median of $26,986 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $54,916. Set against $26,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Gannon University landed the #8 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $65,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks placed #9 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. 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, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks admits about 99% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,307. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. Set against $26,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Messiah College landed the #11 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,195. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. That is a strong return on a $26,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Thomas Jefferson University placed #12 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $32,256. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Wilkes University came in at #13 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,496. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $63,062. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #14 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $66,161. Set against $26,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $12,455. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $80,493. Set against $12,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,730 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 Widener University Main Campus generally make around $65,515. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #18 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. 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. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,777. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $85,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Lafayette College earned the #19 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $72,481 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University earned the #21 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,950 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $87,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #22 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $83,964. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Bucknell University landed the #23 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. In-state tuition and fees average $67,812. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $79,391 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,995. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $89,620 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,995 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
