2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 62 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $85,328. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Cuny Laguardia Community College, which ranked #2. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $76,485 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,232 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $65,905 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,232 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,820. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $16,805. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $16,678. Set against $16,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art admits about 21% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $114,588. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #7 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,519. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #8 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,219. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $39,025 early in their careers. Set against $15,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Delaware landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $74,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,334. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,164. That is a strong return on a $23,334 median debt. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #11 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $88,270. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earned the #12 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,625, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,471 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $60,249 early in their careers. Set against $26,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University earned the #13 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,008. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,743. That is a strong return on a $20,008 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $54,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
York College Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for mechanical engineering. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $74,445. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #16 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,406. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #17 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $74,159 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #18 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #19 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,944. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $71,540. That is a strong return on a $23,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny Maritime College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,589, with out-of-state students paying around $19,159. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Suny Maritime College earn a median of $77,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton earned the #21 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Dunmore, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton admits about 98% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $86,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #23 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $66,274 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Rowan University earned the #24 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $66,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,250. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,917. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mechanical engineering this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
