2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

Leading the list is University Of Michigan Dearborn, our #1 best value for general mechanical engineering in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,950. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $87,958. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

2

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #2 place for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,450. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $80,192. That is a strong return on a $26,450 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,937. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $101,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,871. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

5

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #5 place for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.

6

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest landed the #6 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $68,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.

7

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #7 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $91,832. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $92,369. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $20,500. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $92,881. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

11

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #11 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,477. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

12

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #12 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,817. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $68,061 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

13

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #13 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $82,161 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

14

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University landed the #14 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

15

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #15 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,119. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $64,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

16

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,110. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,546. That is a strong return on a $23,110 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

17

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #17 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $71,612 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.

18

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University placed #18 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,140 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $85,140. That is a strong return on a $24,140 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

19

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,901. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $77,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University came in at #20 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $26,679 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $76,823. That is a strong return on a $26,679 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $74,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

22

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $81,716. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

23

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $71,448. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

24

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #24 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $80,888 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

25

Wright State University Lake Campus
Celina, OH

Wright State University Lake Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,372, compared with $17,072 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wright State University Lake Campus generally make around $66,331. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.