2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in general mechanical engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,131 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $85,272. Set against $18,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,040. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $98,565. Set against $19,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $18,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,359. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #4 place for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $85,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

5

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for general mechanical engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $13,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $55,405. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

6

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #6 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $10,492. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $121,408. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #7 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $112,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $78,650 early in their careers. Set against $17,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

9

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #9 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,025. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $68,451. That is a strong return on a $22,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

10

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,455. 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.

11

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #11 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $105,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

12

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #12 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. 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.

13

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #13 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $85,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #14 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,046. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

15

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #15 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,633. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

16

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University landed the #16 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $15,375. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $82,899 early in their careers. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

17

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Socorro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $92,541 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.

18

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest placed #18 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,250. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $68,632 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

19

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #19 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $84,560. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

20

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #20 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $17,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $108,892. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

21

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #21 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,085 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $89,017. That is a strong return on a $24,085 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

22

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #22 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $101,504. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

23

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $97,999. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

24

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #24 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

25

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $105,764. Set against $19,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.