2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 73 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
For return on investment in mechanical engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,131 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $84,811. That is a strong return on a $18,131 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $71,335. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,025 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $68,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $70,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $22,025. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $75,664. That is a strong return on a $22,025 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $9,422. Mechanical Engineering graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $88,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #8 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,500. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $58,548 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #9 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,085 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $75,519. That is a strong return on a $24,085 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Hinds Community College placed #10 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Students borrow a median of $16,385 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.
University Of North Florida placed #11 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,039 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $66,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,039 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #12 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Christian Brothers University placed #13 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $71,112. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University Institute Of Technology placed #14 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Beckley, West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from West Virginia University Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,504. Set against $26,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 37%.
University Of South Carolina Aiken ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, compared with $21,218 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,011 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $42,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Marshall University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $61,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #17 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $70,722. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida Polytechnic University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Florida Polytechnic University is a small public school located in the rural area of Lakeland. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,004. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida Polytechnic University earn a median of $62,595 early in their careers. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,822 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $72,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of New Orleans ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Francis Marion University landed the #21 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $41,456. That is a strong return on a $30,577 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,814 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $73,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #23 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $74,284. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #25 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $24,629 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $70,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical engineering value ranking:
Narrow Mechanical Engineering Schools by State
More Mechanical Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 73 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.
