2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

1

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general mechanical engineering schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $8,542. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for general mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,759 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $62,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,759 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

3

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Socorro, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earned it the #3 place for general mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $74,983. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

4

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $15,500. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $73,043 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $65,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

6

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #6 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $15,848. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $15,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College came in at #7 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.

8

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #8 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,083. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

9

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $82,899. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

10

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #10 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,678 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $56,135 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.

11

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #11 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $81,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

12

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #12 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,100. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

13

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $68,359. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $87,849. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

15

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #15 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $64,313. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

16

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University came in at #16 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $56,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

17

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #17 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $64,977 early in their careers. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

18

Texas A And M University Texarkana
Texarkana, TX

Texas A And M University Texarkana ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,349 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Texarkana generally make around $44,862. That is a strong return on a $25,270 median debt. Texas A And M University Texarkana admits about 64% of applicants.

19

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #19 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $68,173. That is a strong return on a $26,974 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

20

Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University landed the #20 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,237. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $46,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

21

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University earned the #21 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,409 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $63,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,409 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

22

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #22 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,391 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $75,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,391 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

23

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #23 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $24,080 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $80,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

24

Prairie View A And M University
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A And M University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $66,678. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.

25

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $69,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.