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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region

13 Colleges in the United States
$16,516 Avg Student Debt
$39,692 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Badge [Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanical engineering technology education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 88 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools.

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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region

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 Southeast Region. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Pensacola State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at George C Wallace State Community College Dothan, which ranked #3. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gateway College earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering technology. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,669 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $41,947. That is a strong return on a $8,669 median debt.

5

Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. 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.

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6

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

7

Wayne Community College landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

8

Bishop State Community College placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,340, with out-of-state students paying around $9,210. Students borrow a median of $13,712 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Bishop State Community College generally make around $35,475. That is a strong return on a $13,712 median debt.

9

Indian River State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Beaufort County Community College landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $7,947. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.

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11

John Tyler Community College placed #11 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #12 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Median earnings reach $32,183 ten years out.

13

Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hudson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,528, while out-of-state students pay about $6,528. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $44,734. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Savannah Technical College earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Savannah Technical College generally make around $37,386. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.

15

Eastern Florida State College came in at #15 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #16 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $38,094. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus landed the #17 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus generally make around $40,090. That is a strong return on a $11,769 median debt.

18

Wake Technical Community College earned the #18 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $17,900. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Isothermal Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $6,625. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $47,389. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

Pitt Community College placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Students borrow a median of $19,741 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Tidewater Community College came in at #21 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $54,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.

22

Augusta Technical College landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,282, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Augusta Technical College generally make around $41,892. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Catawba Valley Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,427 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,803. Students borrow a median of $9,842 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $38,219 early in their careers. Set against $9,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Fairmont State University placed #24 among the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $25,000. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $54,410. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.

25

James H Faulkner State Community College landed the #25 spot for mechanical engineering technology value this year. Set in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $14,326. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $52,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanical engineering technology:

26
27
28
Santa Fe College crest
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL
37
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

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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 · 88 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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