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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in California

23 Ranked Colleges
985 Degrees Awarded
$27,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value ME Schools for a Master's in California For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 California, there were 5,259 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $66,612 and $20,850 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 985 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Mechanical Engineering Schools

The me school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k”.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree me students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in California

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 163 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

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

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 California For Those Making $48-$75k. Caltech 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 took the #4 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering Report

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 148 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” 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 be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 99 degrees to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 39 degrees to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UC Irvine

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 10 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Los Angeles

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” 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

With a ranking of #8, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 62 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UCSD

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $48-$75k list, CSULB has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at CSULB

University of California - Davis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 29 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also took the #9 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo are $21,009, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

#12

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#14 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UCR also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCR Mechanical Engineering Report

#13

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 9 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCSB has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UCSB

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full CSUN Mechanical Engineering Report

#15

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at SDSU

#16

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 96 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” 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 University - Sacramento came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 16 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Sac State Mechanical Engineering Report

#18

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at San Jose State

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” 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.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Mechanical Engineering Report

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. UC Merced is a medium-sized school located in Merced, California that handed out 6 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Merced, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Merced

#21

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Santa Clara, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SCU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Santa Clara University are $23,507, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SCU Mechanical Engineering Report

#22

California Baptist University

Riverside, California

California Baptist University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cal Baptist is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 2 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Baptist University are $14,140.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Cal Baptist

#23

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
#11 in overall quality

Loyola Marymount University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 13 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $48-$75k list, Loyola Marymount has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount are $19,756.

Full Loyola Marymount University Mechanical Engineering Report

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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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