2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Washington
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Tacoma Community College the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering in Washington. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,507, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tacoma Community College earn a median of $41,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Olympic College one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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%.
Everett Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $47,441. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Clark College, which ranked #5. Clark College is a large public school located in the city of Vancouver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. 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 came in at #6 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Whatcom Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,296 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $16,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #7 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $66,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Green River Community College placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #9 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,000. 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%.
Eastern Washington University earned the #10 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,038 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $62,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Washington State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $72,690 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Walla Walla University earned the #12 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,227. Students borrow a median of $27,635 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $56,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Martins University placed #13 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lacey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,510. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saint Martins University earn a median of $69,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants.
Seattle University came in at #14 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,467 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $67,851 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,467 median debt. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
Gonzaga University came in at #15 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $55,480. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,664. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,819. Set against $23,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
More Mechanical Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
