2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina

1

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

For return on investment in mechanical engineering technology, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. 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.

2

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at Wayne Community College, which ranked #2. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

3

Beaufort County Community College
Washington, NC

Beaufort County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $7,947. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute
Hudson, NC

A rank of #4 makes Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute one of the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Hudson, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,528, with out-of-state students paying around $6,528. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute generally make around $44,734. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at Forsyth Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Isothermal Community College
Spindale, NC

Isothermal Community College earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,030 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,638. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $47,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College came in at #7 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

Pitt Community College came in at #8 for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, NC

Catawba Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,427, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,842 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Catawba Valley Community College generally make around $38,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville, NC

Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earned the #10 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,882, while out-of-state students pay about $9,026. Students borrow a median of $18,883 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $37,459. That is a strong return on a $18,883 median debt.

11

Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC

Guilford Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $20,501 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $36,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #12 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $60,048. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.