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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

19 Ranked Colleges
282 Degrees Awarded
$32,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Mechanical Engineering is the 20th most popular major in the country with 47,598 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $64,495 and had an average of $23,104 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 7,340 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $64,492 and $21,066 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 282 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,342 and $136,270 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in mechanical engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great mechanical engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the mechanical engineering program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 19 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 57 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Stanford

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s ME degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649.

Full Caltech Mechanical Engineering Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 43 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s ME students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Berkeley Mechanical Engineering Report

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 28 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UCLA

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 doctorate’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle also took the #7 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#10 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 doctorate’s ME degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UC Irvine

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 16 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UC Davis

#14 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified doctorate’s ME students in 2019-2020.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Riverside

#8 in overall quality

University of California - San Diego ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSD is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 doctorate’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UCSD also took the #8 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of California - San Diego

#10

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#13 in overall quality

Washington State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Washington State University is a public institution located in Pullman, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wazzu, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington State University are $27,561, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Wazzu

#11

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Santa Barbara

#15 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 8 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UNLV not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#13

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#5 in overall quality

University of Southern California came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Southern California

#14

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#16 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Manoa, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Hawaii at Manoa

#17 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNR is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UNR

#18 in overall quality

University of California - Merced ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s ME students in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Merced

#17

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Oregon State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oregon State is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Oregon State also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State University are $28,121.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State

#18

Portland State University

Portland, Oregon
#19 in overall quality

Portland State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Portland State University is a large public school situated in Portland, Oregon. It awarded 1 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Portland State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Portland State University are $23,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Portland State University

#19

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
#9 in overall quality

Santa Clara University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Clara, California. It awarded 1 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

SCU also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SCU are $23,507.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Santa Clara University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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