2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in New Jersey
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $85,328. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,010. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $54,505. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #3 makes New Jersey Institute Of Technology one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,334. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,164. That is a strong return on a $23,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Rowan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $66,909. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #5 makes Rutgers University New Brunswick one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,917. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Students borrow a median of $22,875 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $65,761 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $63,462. Students borrow a median of $26,520 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stevens Institute Of Technology earn a median of $83,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,520 median debt. Roughly 48% 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. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
