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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Arkansas

6 Colleges in the United States
$24,782 Avg Student Debt
$49,104 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Badge [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.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering students.

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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Arkansas

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools

1

For return on investment in mechanical engineering, no school beat Arkansas State University Main Campus this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $74,284 early in their careers. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

2
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Arkansas Tech University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,970 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $68,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.

3

University Of Arkansas At Little Rock came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,093. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $47,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock admits about 59% of applicants.

4
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $23,014 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

5
John Brown University crest
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

A rank of #5 makes John Brown University one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,756. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,216 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $50,420. That is a strong return on a $25,216 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

6

Harding University came in at #6 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.

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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 · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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