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2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Florida

12 Colleges in the United States
$20,570 Avg Student Debt
$61,308 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Badge [General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general mechanical engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Florida

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

Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general mechanical engineering schools in Florida. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. 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. Set against $18,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Florida Atlantic University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,025 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $68,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,025 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

3

Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

4

The University Of West Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $58,548 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

5

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. 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. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,783. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $70,046 early in their careers. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Florida Polytechnic University earned the #6 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,004. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida Polytechnic University generally make around $62,595. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Florida earned the #7 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,039 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $66,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,039 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Central Florida earned the #8 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,025 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $75,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,025 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

9
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #9 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,085 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $75,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,085 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

10

Florida Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida Institute Of Technology generally make around $69,533. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

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11
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #11 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $66,843. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.

12

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach placed #12 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earn a median of $73,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach admits about 65% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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