2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest 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
Leading the list is El Paso Community College, our #1 best value for mechanical engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $8,542. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,500. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $73,043 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,789. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Odessa College one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,759. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $62,813. That is a strong return on a $18,759 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $78,083 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $68,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earned the #8 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public school located in the town of Socorro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,500. Mechanical Engineering graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $74,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Lone Star College System placed #9 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $15,848 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $15,848 median debt.
Rice University placed #10 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,375. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $82,899. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #11 for value in mechanical engineering this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $64,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $65,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,678 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $56,135 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #14 among the best values for mechanical engineering. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $64,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $87,849 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Midwestern State University placed #16 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $56,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $81,429. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #18 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,080. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $80,380. That is a strong return on a $24,080 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Northern Arizona University placed #19 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,409 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $63,252. Set against $24,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Tulsa earned the #20 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $49,546 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $70,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University placed #21 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,678. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #22 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $21,821 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $71,424 early in their careers. Set against $21,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #23 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,014. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $86,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Arizona placed #24 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,391. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Angelo State University earned the #25 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mechanical engineering this year:
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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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
