[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-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 451 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools.
For return on investment in mechanical engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,131 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $76,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $19,040 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $65,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,040 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Northridge came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $71,359 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $13,232. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,905. That is a strong return on a $13,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for mechanical engineering. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,533. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $65,938 early in their careers. Set against $17,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $55,405 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #7 among the best values for mechanical engineering. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,653. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $60,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,653 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Florida International University came in at #8 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,750. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Princeton University landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $85,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $132,583. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California San Diego placed #11 among the best values for mechanical engineering. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,555. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #12 for value in mechanical engineering this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,455 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,613. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,943. Set against $17,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,399 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,462. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Utah Valley University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $62,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #17 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $57,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #18 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. 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. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $68,451. Set against $22,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,783. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $22,025. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,298. Set against $22,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #21 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $70,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #23 for value in mechanical engineering this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $65,167. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #24 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $67,633. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #25 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,151 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,947. That is a strong return on a $16,151 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mechanical engineering value ranking:
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 · 451 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 318 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-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.
