2026 Best Value Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

For return on investment in mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering, no school beat Henry Ford Community College this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.

2

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH

Lorain County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Typical student debt for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates is $9,236. Soon after graduation, mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.

4

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates is $26,516. Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

5

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

A rank of #5 makes Oakland University one of the best values for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering program here. Early-career mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

6

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #6 for value in mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates is $23,917. Early-career mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates make about $54,302. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

8

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University earned the #8 position for value in mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates is $25,800. Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

9

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #9 position for value in mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering program here. Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #10 for value in mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates is $23,530. Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

11

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University earned the #11 position for value in mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering this year. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,760. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete the mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering program here. Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.