2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Alabama

[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Alabama
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
Leading the list is Alabama A And M University, our #1 best value for mechanical engineering in Alabama. Set in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,634. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $30,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $71,954. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Alabama one of the best values for mechanical engineering. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,175. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,354 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $58,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. Students from in state pay about $12,132 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,897. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $73,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Alabama earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,755 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,238. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University came in at #6 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,514. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $84,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Tuskegee University landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Tuskegee, Tuskegee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,386. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tuskegee University generally make around $75,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
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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.