College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

54 Ranked Colleges
7,978 Degrees Awarded
Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 46,178 people earned their degree in mechanical engineering, making the major the 21st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $69,007 and had an average of $23,944 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 7,978 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,318 and $24,852 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 54 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More ME Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 142 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $5,849 for Great Lakes Region ME students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 462 students in 2020-2021.

U-M also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $10,481 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full U-M Mechanical Engineering Report

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 582 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $8,450 for Great Lakes Region ME students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Purdue

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 268 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,364 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UW - Madison.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - Madison Mechanical Engineering Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 300 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $11,505 for Great Lakes Region ME students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UIUC

6

Michigan Technological University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Houghton, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 429 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

Michigan Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,794 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Michigan Tech.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Michigan Tech Mechanical Engineering Report

7
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 135 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Notre Dame is $14,020 for Great Lakes Region ME students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Notre Dame Mechanical Engineering Report

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 325 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ohio State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,273 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Ohio State University - Main Campus

9
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 222 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k list, Oakland has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $12,008 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Oakland Mechanical Engineering Report

10

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 183 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

UM Dearborn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Dearborn is $12,398 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan - Dearborn

11

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 235 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $13,306 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full IUPUI Mechanical Engineering Report

12

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 222 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $14,105 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Mechanical Engineering Report

13
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wayne State University is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 163 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State University is $13,612 for Great Lakes Region ME students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University

14
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 308 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $20,557 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University

15

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Case Western is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 125 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Case Western also took the #8 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Case Western Reserve University is $19,864 for Great Lakes Region ME students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Case Western

16

University of Wisconsin - Stout landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stout is a medium-sized school located in Menomonie, Wisconsin that handed out 71 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stout is $15,247 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UW - Stout

17

University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. UW - Platteville is a public institution located in Platteville, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 198 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,699 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UW - Platteville.

Full University of Wisconsin - Platteville Mechanical Engineering Report

18

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 72 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $12,950 for Great Lakes Region ME students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at SIUE

19

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UC is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 331 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UC also took the #15 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $20,867 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

20

Purdue University Northwest came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Hammond, Indiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 66 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue Northwest is $12,829 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University Northwest

21

University of Toledo ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Toledo, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 193 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

University of Toledo also took the #25 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Toledo is $17,555 for Great Lakes Region ME students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Toledo

22

With a ranking of #22, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 61 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,499 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

23

Grand Valley State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 70 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $15,277 for Great Lakes Region ME students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at GVSU

24

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 215 students in 2020-2021.

University of Akron Main Campus also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $18,860 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

25

Youngstown State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school situated in Youngstown, Ohio. It awarded 72 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $13,754 for great lakes region me students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Youngstown State University

Switch to a Similar Major

General Engineering
Best Value Colleges for General Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Agricultural Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Agricultural Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Biomedical Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Biomedical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Civil Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Civil Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Electrical Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Electrical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Engineering Physics
Best Value Colleges for Engineering Physics (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Environmental Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Environmental Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Mining Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Mining Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Nuclear Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Nuclear Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Systems Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Systems Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Construction Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Construction Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Manufacturing Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Manufacturing Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Surveying Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Surveying Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Paper Science & Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Paper Science & Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Engineering Chemistry
Best Value Colleges for Engineering Chemistry (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Best Value Colleges for Electrical and Computer Engineering. (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Other Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Other Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Architectural Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Architectural Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Chemical Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Chemical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Computer Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Computer Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Engineering Mechanics
Best Value Colleges for Engineering Mechanics (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Engineering Science
Best Value Colleges for Engineering Science (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Materials Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Materials Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Marine Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Marine Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Petroleum Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Petroleum Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Polymer & Plastics Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Polymer & Plastics Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Industrial Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Industrial Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Operations Research
Best Value Colleges for Operations Research (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Geoscience Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Geoscience Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Robotics Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Robotics Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Biological Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Biological Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Energy Systems Engineering
Best Value Colleges for Energy Systems Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options