2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in Ohio
[Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/mechanical-engineering-mechanical-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician Schools in Ohio
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
Our analysis ranked North Central State College the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician in Ohio. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $12,236. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #2 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $48,312. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. 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, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. 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. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $45,873. Set against $15,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $35,362. 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. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State Community College landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $15,406. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician 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.
Owens Community College landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $12,000. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $61,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Terra State Community College placed #9 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Terra State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fremont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,544. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $24,070 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Terra State Community College generally make around $63,495. Set against $24,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University earned the #10 position for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $29,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $56,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates is $23,666. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $57,006. Set against $23,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #12 among the best values for mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates make about $66,034. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #13 for value in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,387 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Mechanical Engineering/mechanical Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $66,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 10 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.
