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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the New England Region

24 Colleges in the United States
$24,121 Avg Student Debt
$76,196 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Badge [General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general mechanical engineering schools.

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2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the New England Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools

1

Leading the list is Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, our #1 best value for general mechanical engineering in the New England Region. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $11,334. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $119,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at Community College Of Rhode Island, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $39,680. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #3 makes Harvard University one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

4

Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $74,676. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

5

University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $83,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

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Olin College crest
Olin College
Needham, MA

Olin College landed the #6 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Olin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Needham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,742. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,512 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $87,590. Set against $14,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 25% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Southern Maine came in at #7 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $35,731 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

8

University Of Rhode Island ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $77,343. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Maine placed #9 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $69,687. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Connecticut placed #10 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $74,869 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

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University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont placed #11 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $61,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

12

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #12 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $71,559 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

13

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #13 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $73,972. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #14 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $70,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #15 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,400. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $82,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Bridgeport earned the #16 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $56,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.

17
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

18
Norwich University crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT

Norwich University earned the #18 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,740. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Norwich University earn a median of $48,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Norwich University admits about 74% of applicants.

19

Northeastern University came in at #19 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,893 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $87,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.

20
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford came in at #20 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $73,871. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

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Southern New Hampshire University came in at #21 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. Students from in state pay about $17,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,103 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University generally make around $53,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.

22
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven placed #22 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $62,534 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

23

Wentworth Institute Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Boston, Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,884 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Wentworth Institute Of Technology earn a median of $77,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #24 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $78,441. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.

25
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,615. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general mechanical engineering value ranking:

26
27
28
Fairfield University crest
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 30 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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