2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in California

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering in California. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $81,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $13,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $55,405 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $65,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

4

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,359. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Long Beach one of 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. Students borrow a median of $17,653 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, 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. The acceptance rate is 75%.

7

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #7 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $132,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

8

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $91,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,399 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $75,511 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

10

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $14,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,633. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

11

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $67,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $22,047. Mechanical Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $72,647 early in their careers. Set against $22,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

13

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #13 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.

14

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $62,554. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #15 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,908. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $81,108 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

16

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $93,954. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

17

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #17 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $13,200. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $97,864 early in their careers. Set against $13,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

18

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico placed #18 among the best values for mechanical engineering. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,354. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $73,297 early in their careers. Set against $24,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

19

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #19 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $84,928 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

20

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #20 for value in mechanical engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $87,761 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

21

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,994. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

22

California Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA

California Maritime Academy landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,559, compared with $22,159 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,690 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California Maritime Academy earn a median of $92,315 early in their careers. Set against $19,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

23

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology landed the #23 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of The Pacific
Stockton, CA

University Of The Pacific landed the #24 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $28,596. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $76,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.

25

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University came in at #25 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $72,224. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.