2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Louisiana

[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.
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 Louisiana
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
For return on investment in mechanical engineering, no school beat Louisiana Tech University this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $70,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of New Orleans one of the best values for mechanical engineering. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $68,968 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
Mcneese State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,433. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $46,529. That is a strong return on a $24,433 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,175 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $63,812. Set against $22,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,311. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
Southern University And A And M College placed #6 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,922 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,272. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Southern University And A And M College earn a median of $75,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern University And A And M College admits about 35% of applicants.
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #7 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $22,077. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $53,507 early in their careers. Set against $22,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% 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.