2026 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Our analysis ranked Lake Land College the best value for a degree in manufacturing engineering technology in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, OH

Students looking for strong value in manufacturing engineering technology will find it at Lorain County Community College, which ranked #3. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.

4

Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kankakee Community College earned it the #4 place for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.

5

Monroe County Community College
Monroe, MI

A rank of #5 makes Monroe County Community College one of the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Located in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,759, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,031 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Monroe County Community College earn a median of $47,729 early in their careers. Set against $16,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College earned the #6 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.

7

Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MI

Schoolcraft College placed #7 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $15,677. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $9,862. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #9 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

10

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College came in at #10 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County landed the #11 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $9,785. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College came in at #12 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #13 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Students borrow a median of $10,623 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $60,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $17,730 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Edison State Community College
Piqua, OH

Edison State Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $15,406. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,406 median debt.

17

Jackson Community College
Jackson, MI

Jackson Community College earned the #17 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $16,960. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.

18

Clark State Community College
Springfield, OH

Clark State Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $20,740 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $39,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College
Batavia, OH

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $39,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Washington State Community College
Marietta, OH

Washington State Community College came in at #20 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, with out-of-state students paying around $4,152. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College landed the #21 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $19,383. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI

Fox Valley Technical College placed #22 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $13,319. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University landed the #23 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,114 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $50,549. That is a strong return on a $16,114 median debt.

24

Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Community College came in at #24 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Mid Michigan Community College
Harrison, MI

Mid Michigan Community College landed the #25 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Located in the rural area of Harrison, Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,132, with out-of-state students paying around $10,864. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $18,878. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $43,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.