by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
El Paso Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in Texas. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $8,542. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $73,043. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Odessa College earned it the #3 place 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Lamar University one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,359. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $78,083 early in their careers. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lone Star College System placed #6 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $15,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rice University placed #7 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $82,899 early in their careers. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $64,313 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #9 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,750. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $65,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $56,135. That is a strong return on a $21,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #11 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $64,977. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Midwestern State University earned the #12 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $56,371 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston came in at #13 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $87,849 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, 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%.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #15 for value in mechanical engineering this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $66,678. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #17 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Angelo State University earned the #18 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #19 among the best values for mechanical engineering. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,705 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $74,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #20 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $66,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University earned the #21 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,396 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,125. Mechanical Engineering graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $78,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $90,902. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Tarleton State University landed the #24 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,222. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $48,585. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #25 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $84,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanical engineering:
The ranking above is published 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.