2027 Best Value Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering Schools in Illinois

[Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering](/majors/engineering/robotics-engineering/mechatronics-robotics-and-automation-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering Schools
Rock Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering program here. Mechatronics, Robotics, & Automation Engineering graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the best values for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering will find it at Illinois Institute Of Technology, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Typical student debt for mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates is $26,774. Early-career mechatronics, robotics, & automation engineering graduates make about $71,315. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.