2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Indiana

[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
Purdue University Northwest tops our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in Indiana. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,250. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,937 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $101,895. That is a strong return on a $19,937 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,999. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,265. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,172 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,010. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $66,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,010 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,361 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $36,380 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology earn a median of $56,185 early in their careers. Set against $36,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Trine University placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,560. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,816. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trine University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $84,999. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,046 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,612. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology generally make around $78,732. That is a strong return on a $25,612 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.