2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/mechanical-engineering-mechanical-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 63 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools
North Central State College earned the #1 spot for value among mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools in the Great Lakes Region. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $48,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician will find it at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $15,017 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College came in at #6 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College came in at #7 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $17,349. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $35,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State Community College placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $25,000. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $65,059. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $61,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #12 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $25,319 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $66,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #13 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $65,385. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Terra State Community College earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the rural area of Fremont, Terra State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,748, compared with $8,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $24,070. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Terra State Community College earn a median of $63,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ferris State University placed #15 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $61,949. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $26,990 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $66,479. Set against $26,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Youngstown State University placed #17 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $29,349. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $56,656. Set against $29,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $20,500. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $67,093 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $50,590. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wayne State University placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,666 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $57,006. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $29,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $61,443. That is a strong return on a $29,875 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $64,284. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Toledo ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $66,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Northern Michigan University placed #25 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $54,815 early in their careers. Set against $22,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value ranking:
Narrow Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools by State
More Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Rankings
View All Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
