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2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

34 Ranked Colleges
1,229 Degrees Awarded
$27,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value ME Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 47,598 people earned their degree in mechanical engineering, making the major the 20th most popular in the United States. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,229 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 34 colleges that offer a degree in mechanical engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent mechanical engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the mechanical engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. 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 Master’s 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.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region master’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s 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 located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 163 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford Mechanical Engineering Report

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Caltech also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 111 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’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 UW Seattle are $30,294.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 148 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Berkeley Mechanical Engineering Report

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 99 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles

With a ranking of #6, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Irvine

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 10 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Los Angeles

California State University - Fullerton ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 29 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’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 Cal State Fullerton are $17,892.

Full Cal State Fullerton Mechanical Engineering Report

#9

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 21 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SDSU Mechanical Engineering Report

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 62 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSD Mechanical Engineering Report

California State University - Long Beach landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 34 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

CSULB also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #20. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at CSULB

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 29 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took the #10 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#13

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 15 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #19 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’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 UCR are $28,686.

Full UCR Mechanical Engineering Report

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 35 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #11 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’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 Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mechanical Engineering Report

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN also took the #24 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’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 CSUN are $17,955.

Full CSUN Mechanical Engineering Report

#16

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

Washington State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Washington State University is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 34 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wazzu, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wazzu are $27,561, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Wazzu

#17

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#14 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’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.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Mechanical Engineering Report

#18

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska

University of Alaska Fairbanks did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. University of Alaska Fairbanks is a medium-sized school located in Fairbanks, Alaska that handed out 3 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UAF also took the #0 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’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 UAF are $24,287.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Alaska Fairbanks

#19

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 96 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’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 Southern California are $48,715.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at USC

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 16 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #23 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’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 State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Sac State Mechanical Engineering Report

#22

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

With a ranking of #22, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 48 degrees to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Jose State Mechanical Engineering Report

#25 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. UNLV is a large public school situated in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded 5 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNLV has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#24

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#21 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k list, UH Manoa has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UH Manoa

University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. University of Nevada - Reno is a large school located in Reno, Nevada that handed out 4 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Nevada - Reno

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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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