2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in New York
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
Cuny City College earned the #1 spot for value among mechanical engineering schools in New York. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,232 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $16,805. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $16,678. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stony Brook University earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,008. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $75,743 early in their careers. Set against $20,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #5. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $16,960. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $88,270. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome placed #6 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, with out-of-state students paying around $21,215. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,471 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $23,944 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $71,540 early in their careers. Set against $23,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $74,159. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #9 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. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $66,274 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Maritime College landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Suny Maritime College generally make around $77,895. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny Maritime College admits about 72% of applicants.
Cornell University earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $92,514 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
New York Institute Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for mechanical engineering. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $46,560. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,225 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $56,254 early in their careers. Set against $27,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York Institute Of Technology admits about 81% of applicants.
Manhattan College came in at #13 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. In-state tuition and fees average $53,400. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $74,736. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Alfred University landed the #14 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,138. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Alfred University earn a median of $63,747 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Rochester landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,828. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Clarkson University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Potsdam. In-state tuition and fees average $59,398. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Clarkson University generally make around $83,382. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clarkson University admits about 77% of applicants.
Hofstra University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Union College New York earned the #18 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Schenectady. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,039. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Union College New York generally make around $68,407. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $81,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned the #20 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,078. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $79,778. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits about 64% of applicants.
New York University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,140. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $64,687. Set against $21,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University earned the #22 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,020. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology earned the #23 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Flushing, Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,810. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Vaughn College Of Aeronautics And Technology earn a median of $74,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
More Mechanical Engineering Rankings
View All Mechanical Engineering Rankings >
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
