2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,131 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $85,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,040 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $98,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $71,359 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

4

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

A rank of #4 makes Princeton University one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $85,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

5

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $55,405. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

6

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University placed #6 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $121,408. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $112,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,653 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

9

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #9 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,025 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,451. That is a strong return on a $22,025 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

10

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #10 spot for mechanical engineering value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,455. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $75,040. Set against $17,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

11

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,950 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $105,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

12

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #12 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,750. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,335. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

13

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $22,025. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $85,029. Set against $22,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

14

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,046. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

15

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #15 among the best values for mechanical engineering. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $67,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

16

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University placed #16 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,375. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $82,899. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

17

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology came in at #17 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $92,541. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

18

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest placed #18 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. 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%.

19

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #19 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. 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 $84,560 early in their careers. Set against $19,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #20 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $17,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $108,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

21

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #21 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,085 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $89,017 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,085 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

22

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #22 for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $101,504 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

23

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #23 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $97,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

24

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. 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. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $69,871. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

25

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $105,764 early in their careers. Set against $19,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.