2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for mechanical engineering in the Far Western Region. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,040 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $81,909 early in their careers. Set against $19,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Tacoma Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $5,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $55,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,533 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #6 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $75,511. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Olympic College came in at #7 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Students borrow a median of $11,497 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,653 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $69,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $66,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Portland State University came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $29,113. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $85,519 early in their careers. Set against $29,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #11 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,455. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $75,040. Set against $17,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Everett Community College came in at #12 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,542 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $47,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #13 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $67,050. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $79,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California San Diego landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $91,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $93,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #17 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $13,200. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $97,864 early in their careers. Set against $13,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Merced landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,047 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $72,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Clark College earned the #20 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Clark College is a large public school located in the city of Vancouver. Students from in state pay about $5,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,432. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $43,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Whatcom Community College earned the #21 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,296, with out-of-state students paying around $11,435. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $16,588. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Whatcom Community College earn a median of $51,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose State University placed #22 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #23 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,947. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #24 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $10,492. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $132,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #25 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $84,226. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mechanical engineering this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
