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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Wisconsin

6 Colleges in the United States
$25,511 Avg Student Debt
$66,926 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Badge [Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mechanical engineering education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Wisconsin

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Green Bay the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,477. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

2

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. 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.

3

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $81,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $70,474 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

5

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at University Of Wisconsin Stout, which ranked #5. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $73,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Milwaukee School Of Engineering landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,480. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Milwaukee School Of Engineering generally make around $68,976. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milwaukee School Of Engineering admits about 59% of applicants.

7
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University placed #7 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,170. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,049. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marquette University admits about 81% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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