2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $76,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,232 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $65,905. That is a strong return on a $13,232 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

4

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $114,588. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

5

Montgomery County Community College
Blue Bell, PA

Montgomery County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $15,219. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $39,025 early in their careers. Set against $15,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #6 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.

7

Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art
New York, NY

Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earned the #7 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $16,805. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earn a median of $16,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art admits about 21% of applicants.

8

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #8 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,962. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $74,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,962 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

9

New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #9 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

10

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #10 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $71,519. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

11

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $20,008. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $75,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,008 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.

12

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $16,960. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $88,270. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

13

Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome
Utica, NY

Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome landed the #13 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,625, with out-of-state students paying around $21,215. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,471 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $60,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,471 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

14

University Of The District Of Columbia
Washington, DC

University Of The District Of Columbia landed the #14 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Students borrow a median of $32,304 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $57,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

16

York College Pennsylvania
York, PA

York College Pennsylvania came in at #16 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $74,445. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

17

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo placed #17 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,944. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $71,540 early in their careers. Set against $23,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

18

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Johnstown, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

19

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton came in at #19 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $74,159 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

20

Suny Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY

Suny Maritime College placed #20 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Suny Maritime College is a small public school located in the city of Throggs Neck. In-state tuition and fees average $8,589, while out-of-state students pay about $19,159. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

21

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #21 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $66,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

22

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College
Erie, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College landed the #22 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.

23

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University earned the #23 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $66,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

24

New York Institute Of Technology
Old Westbury, NY

New York Institute Of Technology placed #24 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,560. Students borrow a median of $27,225 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $56,254. That is a strong return on a $27,225 median debt. New York Institute Of Technology admits about 81% of applicants.

25

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #25 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $77,917 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.