2023 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $75-$110k) in California
28
Ranked Colleges
5,137
Degrees Awarded
$20,000
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 California For Those Making $75-$110k” 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 California, there were 5,137 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $73,918 and $19,735 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 28 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality mechanical engineering programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 in California For Those Making $75-$110k”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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 in California For Those Making $75-$110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $75-$110k) in 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 in California For Those Making $75-$110k. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ME degrees to 253 students in 2020-2021.
Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $13,623 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Stanford
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 274 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california me students whose families make $75-$110k list, UC Davis has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $18,728 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Davis
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 252 students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $20,697 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Berkeley. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 320 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california me students whose families make $75-$110k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $21,601 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 379 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
UCSD also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $20,906 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UCSD
California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 173 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $10,011 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Los Angeles Mechanical Engineering Report
California State University - Fullerton ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 211 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california me students whose families make $75-$110k list, Cal State Fullerton has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $12,977 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full California State University - Fullerton Mechanical Engineering Report
University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 359 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $20,567 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 94%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UC Irvine
California State University - Long Beach came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 194 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california me students whose families make $75-$110k list, CSULB has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $15,101 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, 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 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Long Beach
With a ranking of #10, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 234 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.
CSUN also took the #15 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,380 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.
Full CSUN Mechanical Engineering Report
San Diego State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 243 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $18,957 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full San Diego State University Mechanical Engineering Report
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 321 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california me students whose families make $75-$110k list, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is $22,744 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, 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.
Full Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mechanical Engineering Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 247 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $18,166 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
California State University - Sacramento ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Sac State is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 229 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $16,925 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Sacramento Mechanical Engineering Report
California State University - Fresno ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 71 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fresno is $12,789 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Fresno State Mechanical Engineering Report
University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.
UCSB also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $21,581 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCSB Mechanical Engineering Report
University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 144 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.
UCR also took the #16 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,887 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Riverside
San Jose State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 209 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State is $21,035 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at San Jose State
California State University - Chico came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chico, California, and it awarded 72 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $20,708 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Chico
University of Southern California ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 217 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $32,363 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Southern California
University of California - Merced came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 171 students in 2020-2021.
UC Merced also took the #24 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $19,795 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - Merced.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UC Merced
Santa Clara University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Santa Clara University is a medium-sized school located in Santa Clara, California that handed out 71 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
SCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Santa Clara University is $34,770 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 more about Mechanical Engineering at SCU
California State University Maritime Academy landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Vallejo, California, this small public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
Cal Maritime also took the #20 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Maritime is $23,669 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 California State University Maritime Academy
San Francisco State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #24. SFSU is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 102 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $20,159 for California ME students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 SFSU Mechanical Engineering Report
California Baptist University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Riverside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ME degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Baptist not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Baptist is $28,614 for california me students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California Baptist University
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