[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 353 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools.
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $85,328. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,131. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $76,228. That is a strong return on a $18,131 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $13,232. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $65,905. Set against $13,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $55,405. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $71,359 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,040. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $65,252. That is a strong return on a $19,040 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,533. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $65,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Utah Valley University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $16,478. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento earned the #9 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, 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 $66,462. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Oakland University landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $71,335. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #12 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,455. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #13 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,653. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $60,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,653 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #14 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $79,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $70,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #16 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $17,613 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $68,943. That is a strong return on a $17,613 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $82,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $69,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #20 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,025 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $66,298 early in their careers. Set against $22,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $68,451. Set against $22,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #22 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $60,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,783. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,046. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #24 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $13,200. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $88,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #25 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $66,947. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical engineering value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 353 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 353 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
