2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
Snow College tops our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,613. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $68,943. That is a strong return on a $17,613 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #4 makes Weber State University one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,176. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,907 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $70,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Front Range Community College came in at #7 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,384. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $40,414. That is a strong return on a $17,384 median debt.
University Of Wyoming ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $22,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $57,153 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Idaho State University came in at #9 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $66,385 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $13,654. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $76,065. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Idaho ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $65,409 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $70,440. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #14 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,666 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $42,266. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
University Of Utah ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $81,523. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,289 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,094. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana earn a median of $73,901 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana admits about 91% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #17 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $26,184. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $77,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University earned the #18 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,833 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $62,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University earned the #19 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,011 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $68,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,011 median debt. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $75,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $81,619. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $26,248. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
