[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 375 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Mechanical Engineering School for You
The right mechanical engineering school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
For return on investment in mechanical engineering, no school beat Princeton University this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $85,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Tacoma Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,507, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Students borrow a median of $14,822 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tacoma Community College earn a median of $41,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,822 median debt.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,131 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $84,811. Set against $18,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $55,405. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $71,359. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,040. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $81,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,040 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #7 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,232 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $65,905 early in their careers. Set against $13,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Snow College came in at #8 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #9 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno placed #10 among the best values for mechanical engineering. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,533 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $65,938. Set against $17,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University placed #12 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $91,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #13 among the best values for mechanical engineering. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,399. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $75,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #14 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,335. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #15 among the best values for mechanical engineering. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,455 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,040 early in their careers. Set against $17,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $69,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #17 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,950 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $87,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #18 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $93,954. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #19 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $17,613 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $68,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $88,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego placed #21 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $91,276. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Tulsa Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
University Of Central Florida ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $22,025. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $75,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida Atlantic University placed #24 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $22,025. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,451. Set against $22,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #25 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,750. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $92,369. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanical engineering:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 375 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 375 ranked schools only.
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).
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
