2023 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in California (With Aid)
28
Ranked Colleges
5,137
Degrees Awarded
$15,800
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking.
Mechanical Engineering is the 21st most popular major in the country with 46,178 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 Getting Aid” ranking looked at 28 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the mechanical engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. 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 Getting Aid”.
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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in California (With Aid)
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. 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 also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $12,894 for California ME students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%. 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
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 252 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #4 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $15,023 for California ME students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UCLA
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 379 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also took the #6 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $15,240 for california me students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%.
Full University of California - San Diego Mechanical Engineering Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 173 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
Cal State LA also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $3,302 for California ME students with aid.
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%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Cal State LA
Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #5 spot on the list. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 274 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california me students with aid list, UC Davis has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $15,768 for California ME students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Davis
University of California - Berkeley came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 320 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also took the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $16,032 for California ME students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley
California State University - Northridge ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 234 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUN, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,523 for California ME students with aid per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Mechanical Engineering Report
University of California - Irvine landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 359 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $12,209 for California ME students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Irvine
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 211 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,003 for california me students with aid per year to attend California State University - Fullerton.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 89%.
Full Cal State Fullerton Mechanical Engineering Report
California State University - Long Beach landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 194 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $10,054 for California ME students with aid per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at CSULB
San Diego State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 243 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $13,845 for California ME students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full SDSU Mechanical Engineering Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal Poly Pomona is a large school located in Pomona, California that handed out 247 ’s ME degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for california me students with aid.
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 full report on Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona
California State University - Sacramento landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 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 $11,178 for california me students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Sac State
California State University - Fresno landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 71 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $6,230 for california me students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 87%.
Full Fresno State Mechanical Engineering Report
With a ranking of #15, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 93 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for california me students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, 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 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UCSB Mechanical Engineering Report
University of California - Riverside ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. UCR is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 144 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,822 for California ME students with aid per year to attend University of California - Riverside.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 UCR Mechanical Engineering Report
San Jose State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 209 students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for California ME students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full San Jose 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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Located in San Luis Obispo, California, this large public school awarded 321 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for california me students with aid.
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%. 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 University - Chico landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 72 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $16,218 for California ME students with aid.
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%.
Full California State University - Chico Mechanical Engineering Report
University of California - Merced landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 171 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california me students with aid list, UC Merced has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Merced is $13,691 for California ME students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UC Merced
San Francisco State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Francisco State University is a large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 102 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $14,459 for california me students with aid.
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%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at SFSU
California State University Maritime Academy did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Vallejo, California, this small public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Maritime, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $21,743 for California ME students with aid per year to attend California State University Maritime Academy.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at California State University Maritime Academy
With a ranking of #23, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California Baptist University is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 58 ’s ME degrees 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 $26,719 for California ME students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 California Baptist University Mechanical Engineering Report
University of Southern California landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 217 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
USC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $32,569 for California ME students with aid per year to attend USC.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. 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 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Southern California Mechanical Engineering Report
Santa Clara University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 71 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.
SCU also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $42,614 for California ME students with aid per year to attend Santa Clara University.
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 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%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at SCU
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