[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 451 schools to find the best return on investment for general mechanical engineering students.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general mechanical engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $76,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,040 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $71,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $13,232. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,905. Set against $13,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,533. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,938. That is a strong return on a $17,533 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $13,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $55,405 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #7 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $17,653 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $60,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,653 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #8 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,750. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $71,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University placed #9 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $85,328. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Stanford University landed the #10 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $132,583. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California San Diego ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #12 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,455 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,040 early in their careers. Set against $17,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #13 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $17,613 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,943. That is a strong return on a $17,613 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #14 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Utah Valley University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $62,813. That is a strong return on a $18,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology placed #17 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $57,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #18 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,025. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $68,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #19 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $70,046 early in their careers. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida landed the #20 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,025 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $66,298 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #21 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,950 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,688. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #22 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $15,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $66,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $65,167. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #24 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $14,500. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,633. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,151 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $66,947. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general mechanical engineering value ranking:
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 · 451 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 318 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).
[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
