2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes 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
Oakland University tops our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, 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 $91,832. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,950. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $87,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,750. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $92,369. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $69,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Northwest earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,632. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Stark State College placed #6 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne State University came in at #7 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,140. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $85,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $92,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #9 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,937. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $101,895. That is a strong return on a $19,937 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,679 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $76,823 early in their careers. Set against $26,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Superior State University placed #12 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $26,901. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,229. Set against $26,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #13 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Youngstown State University came in at #14 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,817. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $68,061 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,817 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University placed #15 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $80,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $74,974 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #17 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $82,161. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $71,448. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $69,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $64,534. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Wright State University Lake Campus came in at #22 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,372 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,072. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Wright State University Lake Campus earn a median of $66,331 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #23 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,110 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $66,546 early in their careers. Set against $23,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cleveland State University placed #24 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $67,980. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $88,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical engineering value ranking:
Narrow Mechanical Engineering Schools by State
More Mechanical Engineering Rankings
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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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
