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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools

31 Colleges in the United States
$15,183 Avg Student Debt
$41,480 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Associate's Degree Badge [Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 332 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering technology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools

1

Florida State College At Jacksonville tops our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes Cuny New York City College Of Technology one of the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,652 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $48,372. Set against $11,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $36,453. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Indian River State College one of the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $10,492. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.

7

Cuyahoga Community College District placed #7 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $14,636. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.

8
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $39,549. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Sinclair Community College placed #9 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $48,312 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Mercer County Community College came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.

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John Tyler Community College landed the #11 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.

12

Eastern Florida State College earned the #12 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $44,690. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.

13
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College earned the #13 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,017 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $45,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Erie Community College came in at #15 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Raritan Valley Community College came in at #17 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Monroe Community College placed #18 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Hudson Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $12,868. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Great Basin College placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,923, while out-of-state students pay about $11,996. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $17,128 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $67,461. That is a strong return on a $17,128 median debt.

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Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College placed #21 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology 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.

22

Columbus State Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.

23

Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus placed #23 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of $40,090 early in their careers. Set against $11,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Onondaga Community College placed #24 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,623 median debt.

25

Springfield Technical Community College placed #25 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,395 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $54,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for mechanical engineering technology this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
44
Santa Fe College crest
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Mechanical Engineering Technology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value mechanical engineering technology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Bachelor's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Master's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering Technology
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View All Mechanical Engineering Technology Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 332 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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