2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Indiana

1

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Leading the list is Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, our #1 best value for mechanical engineering in Indiana. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $26,450. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $80,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

2

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest came in at #2 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. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,250. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,632. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. 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. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,937. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $101,895. That is a strong return on a $19,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

4

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

5

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne, which ranked #5. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,119. 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.

6

Indiana Institute Of Technology
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,361. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $36,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Indiana Institute Of Technology generally make around $56,185. That is a strong return on a $36,380 median debt. Indiana Institute Of Technology admits about 70% of applicants.

7

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University earned the #7 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $68,265. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants.

8

Trine University
Angola, IN

Trine University earned the #8 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Angola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,560. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Trine University earn a median of $66,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trine University admits about 86% of applicants.

9

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $84,999. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

10

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology
Terre Haute, IN

Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,046. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,612 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology generally make around $78,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.