2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in general mechanical engineering in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $19,040 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $81,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $55,405. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,533 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,938. That is a strong return on a $17,533 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

4

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for general mechanical engineering. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,653. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $69,823. Set against $17,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

6

Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA

Tacoma Community College earned the #6 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $14,822. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $41,732. That is a strong return on a $14,822 median debt.

7

Olympic College
Bremerton, WA

Olympic College came in at #7 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,472 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Students borrow a median of $11,497 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $57,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, WA

Spokane Falls Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,031. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $34,901. Set against $17,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #9 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $75,511. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

10

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #10 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $132,583. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #11 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $16,151. 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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

12

Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Clark College landed the #12 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $43,768. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt.

13

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $79,438. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #14 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. 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, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $91,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

15

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #15 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,455 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. 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. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

16

Everett Community College
Everett, WA

Everett Community College placed #16 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $47,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,542 median debt.

17

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #17 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #18 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $20,500. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,050. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

19

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. 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.

20

Green River Community College
Auburn, WA

Green River Community College placed #20 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.

21

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,047 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $72,647 early in their careers. Set against $22,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

23

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $84,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

24

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #24 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

25

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University earned the #25 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $29,113. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $85,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,113 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.