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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $75-$110k) 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 $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 $75-$110k” 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.

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 California For Those Making $75-$110k” 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. 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 $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $75-$110k) 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 $75-$110k. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 163 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $75-$110k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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 $75-$110k. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California Institute of Technology

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 148 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $75-$110k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Berkeley Mechanical Engineering Report

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 99 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $75-$110k list, UCLA has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” 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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 10 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State LA, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. 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 Cal State LA

California State University - Fullerton ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 29 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California State University - Fullerton Mechanical Engineering Report

California State University - Long Beach landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 34 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $75-$110k 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 California State University - Long Beach

University of California - Davis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 29 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $75-$110k list, UC Davis has also earned the #9 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 University of California - Davis are $28,700.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UC Davis

University of California - Irvine landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 39 degrees to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” 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 more about Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Irvine

University of California - San Diego came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 62 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also took the #7 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UCSD

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Northridge did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University - Northridge is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $75-$110k list, CSUN has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Northridge

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. California Polytechnic State University - 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 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 Poly San Luis Obispo are $21,009.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Mechanical Engineering Report

#13

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#14 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 15 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #14 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 California - Riverside are $28,686.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Riverside

#14

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#12 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

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

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree me students whose families make $75-$110k list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #17 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 State Polytechnic University - Pomona are $18,377.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

#16

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 9 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 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 - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UCSB

#17

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 48 masters’s degrees 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Jose State Mechanical Engineering Report

California State University - Sacramento came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Sacramento 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.

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 California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Sacramento

#19

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 96 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at USC

University of California - Merced ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Merced, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Merced are $43,854, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#21

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California

Santa Clara University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. SCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Santa Clara, California. It awarded 23 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

SCU also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Santa Clara University are $23,507, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SCU Mechanical Engineering Report

#22

California Baptist University

Riverside, California

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. Cal Baptist is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 2 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Baptist, 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 Cal Baptist are $14,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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 $75-$110k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Marymount also took the #11 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount are $19,756, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Loyola Marymount 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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