2021 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering
Finding the Best Value Mechanical Engineering School for You
In 2018-2019, 37,343 people earned their bachelor's in mechanical engineering, making the major the #15 most popular in the United States.
This year's Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering ranking looked at 272 colleges that offer a bachelor's in ME. To us, 'best value' doesn't just mean the school with the lowest overall costs. For this ranking, we are identifying those ME schools that provide their students with a hiqh quality education at a price that is lower than other colleges and universities of the same caliber.
To determine the average cost, we look at total expenses - such as tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other related expenses - and then subtract the average financial award a student receives. Knowing this amount can help you determine how much you may have to borrow in loans or take out of savings. Keep in mind that the net cost for you may be higher or lower, depending on your income and other factors.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Value ME Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
2021 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Mechanical Engineering Colleges for the Money.
Top 25 Best Value ME Schools
Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #1 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the midsize city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.
At BYU, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 5.2 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $12,239. This means that the average student pays around $64,132 to get a bachelor’s degree from BYU. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
ME majors at BYU take out an average of $15,424 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $114, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Florida landed the #2 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, U of F is a public college with a fairly large student population. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, U of F also is in the top 15% of our Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering ranking.
It takes the average student at U of F about 4.3 years to graduate, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $28,230. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from U of F be around $120,542. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
After completing their bachelor's degree, ME graduates from U of F carry an average student debtload of $19,659. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $208.
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Our rankings recognize SUNY Maritime College as the #3 school in this year's rankings. Located in the large city of Throggs Neck, SUNY Maritime is a public school with a small student population. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, SUNY Maritime also is in the top 10% of our Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering ranking.
It takes the average student at SUNY Maritime about 4.4 years to graduate, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $26,770. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Maritime be around $118,591. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
While working on their bachelor's, ME majors at SUNY Maritime accumulate an average of around $24,515 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $274.
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Our rankings recognize University of South Florida - Main Campus as the #4 school in this year's rankings. Located in the large city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average student at USF Tampa graduates in less than 4.3 years, and it costs about $23,095 per year to attend the school. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the USF Tampa is $99,308. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
The average amount in student loans that ME majors at USF Tampa take out while working on their bachelor's is $21,336. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $218.
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Purdue University - Main Campus earned the #5 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public school with a very large student population. In addition to its great value ranking, Purdue is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering list.
The average student at Purdue graduates in less than 4.4 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $28,495. This means that the average student pays around $124,238 to get a bachelor’s degree from Purdue. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
ME majors at Purdue take out an average of $18,680 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $202.
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Our rankings recognize University of Houston as the #6 school in this year's rankings. Located in the city of Houston, U of H is a public school with a very large student population.
The average student at U of H graduates in less than 4.6 years, and it costs about $25,217 per year to attend the school. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the U of H is $116,503. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
The average amount in student loans that ME majors at U of H take out while working on their bachelor's is $24,016. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $227.
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Florida State University landed the #7 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value mechanical engineering schools. Florida State is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Tallahassee.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Florida State is 4.2 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $27,233. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Florida State is $115,196. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
While working on their bachelor's, ME majors at Florida State accumulate an average of around $23,938 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $244.
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The #8 spot in this year's ranking belongs to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Located in the small city of Rapid City, SD Mines is a public college with a small student population.
It takes about 4.8 years for the average student at SD Mines to complete their degree, and it costs about $24,129 per year to attend the school. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from SD Mines is $116,543. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
ME majors at SD Mines take out an average of $27,232 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $280, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Missouri University of Science and Technology comes in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public school with a moderately-sized student population. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Missouri University of Science and Technology also is in the top 10% of our Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering ranking.
It takes the average student at Missouri University of Science and Technology about 4.8 years to graduate, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $29,213. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology is about $139,346. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
While working on their bachelor's, ME majors at Missouri University of Science and Technology accumulate an average of around $22,416 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $239, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Our rankings recognize Texas Tech University as the #10 school in this year's rankings. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Texas Tech is 4.5 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $23,296. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech be around $105,298. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
ME majors at Texas Tech take out an average of $23,688 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $244.
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The #11 spot in this year's ranking belongs to North Carolina State University. Located in the large city of Raleigh, NC State is a public school with a very large student population. NC State excels when it comes to quality. It's ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering list.
At NC State, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.4 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $28,493. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from NC State is $124,799. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
The average amount in student loans that ME majors at NC State take out while working on their bachelor's is $19,213. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $208.
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Milwaukee School of Engineering landed the #12 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, MSOE is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. In addition to its great value ranking, MSOE is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering list.
At MSOE, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.4 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $30,829. This means that the average student pays around $134,723 to get a bachelor’s degree from MSOE. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
ME majors at MSOE take out an average of $25,249 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $280, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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North Dakota State University - Main Campus earned the #13 spot in our 2021 rankings. North Dakota State University is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.
The average student at North Dakota State University graduates in less than 4.5 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $21,224. This means that the average student pays around $96,145 to get a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
ME majors at North Dakota State University take out an average of $21,712 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $235.
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University of Central Florida earned the #14 spot in our 2021 rankings. UCF is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Orlando.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at UCF is 4.5 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $27,064. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from UCF is about $120,976. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
On average, ME graduates from UCF take out $22,070 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $235.
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California State University Maritime Academy comes in at #15 in this year's ranking. Cal Maritime is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo.
At Cal Maritime, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.3 years, and it costs about $27,900 per year to attend the school. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from Cal Maritime is $119,412. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
After completing their bachelor's degree, ME graduates from Cal Maritime carry an average student debtload of $25,322. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $272.
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Iowa State University comes in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State is a public school with a very large student population.
It takes about 4.4 years for the average student at Iowa State to complete their degree, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $26,749. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State is $118,231. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
ME majors at Iowa State take out an average of $21,569 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $237.
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Virginia Tech earned the #17 spot in our 2021 rankings. Virginia Tech is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Virginia Tech also is in the top 10% of our Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering ranking.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Virginia Tech is 4.3 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $33,298. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech is $142,182. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
ME majors at Virginia Tech take out an average of $23,239 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $259, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology earned the #18 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Tech is a public college with a small student population.
The average student at New Mexico Tech graduates in less than 4.7 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $27,170. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico Tech is $128,242. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
After completing their bachelor's degree, ME graduates from New Mexico Tech carry an average student debtload of $21,289. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $228, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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The #19 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Wyoming. U of Wyoming is a fairly large public school located in the remote town of Laramie.
The average student at U of Wyoming graduates in less than 4.6 years, and it costs about $20,323 per year to attend the school. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from U of Wyoming is $94,299. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
The average amount in student loans that ME majors at U of Wyoming take out while working on their bachelor's is $21,703. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $205, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Tulsa comes in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of Tulsa, University of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
It takes the average student at University of Tulsa about 4.3 years to graduate, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $30,647. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa is $130,863. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
The average amount in student loans that ME majors at University of Tulsa take out while working on their bachelor's is $19,064. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $224.
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Arizona State University - Tempe comes in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public college with a fairly large student population. In addition to its great value ranking, ASU - Tempe is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering list.
At ASU - Tempe, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.3 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $32,198. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from ASU - Tempe is about $138,451. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
ME majors at ASU - Tempe take out an average of $20,919 in student loans while working on their bachelor's degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $213.
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Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #22 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the distant town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State is a public school with a very large student population.
The average student at Oklahoma State graduates in less than 4.4 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $26,971. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Oklahoma State is $119,212. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
After completing their bachelor's degree, ME graduates from Oklahoma State carry an average student debtload of $20,885. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $207, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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The #23 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Ohio Northern University. Located in the town of Ada, ONU is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
It takes about 4.2 years for the average student at ONU to complete their degree, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $27,759. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from ONU be around $117,421. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
After completing their bachelor's degree, ME graduates from ONU carry an average student debtload of $22,142. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $272.
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Olin College earned the #24 spot in our 2021 rankings. Olin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Needham. In addition to being on our best value list, Olin College has also earned the #2 rank in our Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering ranking.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Olin College is 4.2 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $37,144. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Olin College is about $155,633. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
The average amount in student loans that ME majors at Olin College take out while working on their bachelor's is $16,024.
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The #25 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Western Michigan University. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, WMU is a public college with a very large student population.
The average student at WMU graduates in less than 4.7 years, and it costs about $21,387 per year to attend the school. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from WMU be around $100,305. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
The average amount in student loans that ME majors at WMU take out while working on their bachelor's is $27,710. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $294.
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Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL |
| 42 | University of Missouri - Columbia | Columbia, MO |
| 43 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA |
| 44 | Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI |
| 45 | Oakland University | Rochester Hills, MI |
| 46 | California State University - Long Beach | Long Beach, CA |
| 47 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| 48 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH |
| 49 | Binghamton University | Vestal, NY |
| 50 | Cedarville University | Cedarville, OH |
| 51 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT |
| 52 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus | Atlanta, GA |
| 53 | University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| 54 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville | Platteville, WI |
Mechanical Engineering by Region
View the Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Rankings in Majors Related to ME
Mechanical Engineering is one of 38 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.
Most Popular Majors Related to ME
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | 17,946 |
| Civil Engineering | 14,832 |
| Chemical Engineering | 11,423 |
| Computer Engineering | 10,704 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 7,921 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Michel Villeneuve.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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