2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Michigan

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

For return on investment in mechanical engineering, no school beat University Of Michigan Dearborn this year. 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, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,950 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $87,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,950 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

2

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

3

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $26,901. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $77,229. Set against $26,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $92,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $74,974 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

6

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. 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. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $85,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

7

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,679 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $76,823 early in their careers. Set against $26,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

8

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University earned the #8 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $80,888. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

9

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #9 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

10

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $29,053. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

11

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

12

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University came in at #12 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $75,777. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

13

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $68,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #14 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $80,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

15

Kettering University
Flint, MI

Kettering University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,425. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Kettering University generally make around $79,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

16

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University placed #16 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $77,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.