2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in California
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in California
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
For return on investment in mechanical engineering, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,040 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $81,909. Set against $19,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for mechanical engineering. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #4 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,533 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $65,938 early in their careers. Set against $17,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,455. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,511. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #7 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #8 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $91,276. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $93,954. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Merced placed #10 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,096. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Francisco State University earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,047 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $72,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #12 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $97,864. Set against $13,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. 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%.
Stanford University landed the #14 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. 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. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside placed #16 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $62,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $84,928 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California State University Chico earned the #18 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,354 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $73,297 early in their careers. Set against $24,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,994. Mechanical Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $69,754 early in their careers. Set against $19,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Technology earned the #20 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #21 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,908 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $81,108. Set against $15,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #22 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $87,761 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
California Maritime Academy earned the #23 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,559, compared with $22,159 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,690 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $92,315. That is a strong return on a $19,690 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $28,596. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $76,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
California Baptist University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $72,224. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mechanical engineering this year:
More Mechanical Engineering Rankings
View All Mechanical Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
