2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Virginia
[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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 Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among general mechanical engineering schools in Virginia. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,774. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #2 place for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $73,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Virginia Military Institute came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $21,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $52,638. Students borrow a median of $19,971 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $47,837. Set against $19,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $74,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $73,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #6 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $80,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University earned the #7 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $65,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
More General Mechanical Engineering Rankings
View All General Mechanical Engineering Rankings >
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
