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2026 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
For return on investment in general mechanical engineering, no school beat El Paso Community College this year. 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, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $18,750. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $73,043 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lone Star College System earned it the #4 place for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,848 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,848 median debt.
Odessa College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #6 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #7 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,678 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $56,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rice University landed the #8 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $82,899. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $51,252. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #10 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $29,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $68,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #11 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $64,313. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #12 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $87,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Midwestern State University came in at #13 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $56,371. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Texarkana came in at #14 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,349, with out-of-state students paying around $24,680. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,270 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Texarkana earn a median of $44,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Texarkana admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #15 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Angelo State University earned the #16 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #17 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,173. That is a strong return on a $26,974 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #18 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,678. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #19 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,080 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $80,380. Set against $24,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $66,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #21 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $90,902 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #22 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,705. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $74,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Texas Tech University came in at #23 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,396. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $73,268. That is a strong return on a $25,396 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University placed #24 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,222. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $48,585. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University placed #25 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $78,028. Set against $21,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general mechanical engineering:
[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.
