2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,507, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $14,822. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tacoma Community College earn a median of $41,732 early in their careers. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Olympic College, which ranked #2. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,472, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $11,497. 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 Spokane Falls Community College earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,031 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $34,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clark College earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $43,768. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Tacoma Campus one of the best values for mechanical engineering. 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, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,151 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $66,947. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Everett Community College came in at #6 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. Students from in state pay about $5,032 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Green River Community College earned the #8 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $84,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Washington University landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $26,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Washington State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $72,690. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Martins University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Walla Walla University landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,227. Students borrow a median of $27,635 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Walla Walla University generally make around $56,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Pacific University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Students borrow a median of $26,949 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $71,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Seattle University landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. 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. Set against $20,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
