2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general mechanical engineering schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,131 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $84,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Florida International University
Miami, FL

A rank of #2 makes Florida International University one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $71,335. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

3

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,025 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. 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. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $70,046 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

5

East Mississippi Community College
Scooba, MS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Mississippi Community College earned it the #5 place for general mechanical engineering. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $9,422. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.

6

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,025. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $75,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

7

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida landed the #7 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $58,548. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

8

Hinds Community College
Raymond, MS

Hinds Community College came in at #8 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $16,385. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.

9

Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, FL

Florida Polytechnic University earned the #9 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Florida Polytechnic University is a small public school located in the rural area of Lakeland. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,004. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida Polytechnic University earn a median of $62,595 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 58%.

10

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #10 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,085. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $75,519 early in their careers. Set against $24,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

11

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida landed the #11 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,039 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $66,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.

12

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #12 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $88,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.

13

Christian Brothers University
Memphis, TN

Christian Brothers University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $71,112. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.

14

West Virginia University Institute Of Technology
Beckley, WV

West Virginia University Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Beckley, West Virginia University Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,242 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,504. Set against $26,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 37%.

15

University Of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

University Of New Orleans ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $68,968 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

16

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $70,722. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

17

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University earned the #17 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,242. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $71,504 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,242 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

18

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $61,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

19

Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University earned the #19 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $70,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

20

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #20 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,814. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,872. That is a strong return on a $22,814 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

21

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University came in at #21 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $29,822. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $72,278. That is a strong return on a $29,822 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

22

Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA

Mcneese State University came in at #22 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,433 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $46,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

23

The University Of Tennessee Martin
Martin, TN

The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #23 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $40,400. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

24

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,904 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

25

Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University earned the #25 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,970 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $68,765 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,970 median debt. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.