2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn tops our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,950. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $87,958. Set against $23,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

2

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $26,450 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $80,192. Set against $26,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,937 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $101,895 early in their careers. Set against $19,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,871. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

5

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $68,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

7

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $91,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,750. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $92,369. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

9

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana earned the #9 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $92,881. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

11

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,477. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $42,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

12

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $24,817 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $68,061. That is a strong return on a $24,817 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

13

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $82,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

14

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University landed the #14 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,639. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

15

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #15 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $64,534 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

16

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #16 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,110. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,546. Set against $23,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

17

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #17 for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $71,612. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

18

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University placed #18 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $24,140 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $85,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

19

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Students borrow a median of $26,901 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $77,229 early in their careers. Set against $26,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #20 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $26,679. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $76,823. Set against $26,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

21

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint placed #21 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $74,974. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

22

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,500. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $81,716 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #23 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $71,448. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

24

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $80,888. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

25

Wright State University Lake Campus
Celina, OH

Wright State University Lake Campus came in at #25 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Celina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,372, with out-of-state students paying around $17,072. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,331. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.