2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the New England Region

1

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Our analysis ranked Massachusetts Institute Of Technology the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering in the New England Region. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $119,923. That is a strong return on a $11,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

Community College Of Rhode Island
Warwick, RI

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Community College Of Rhode Island, which ranked #2. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $39,680. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #3 makes Harvard University one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

4

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $74,676. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $83,609. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

6

Olin College
Needham, MA

Olin College landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Olin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Needham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,742. Students borrow a median of $14,512 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $87,590. That is a strong return on a $14,512 median debt. Roughly 25% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine came in at #7 for value in mechanical engineering this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $35,731 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,318. That is a strong return on a $35,731 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.

8

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island earned the #8 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,343. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.

9

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine came in at #9 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,687. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $74,869. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont placed #11 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $61,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

12

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $71,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #13 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $73,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

14

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #14 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $70,865 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $26,400. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $82,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT

University Of Bridgeport earned the #16 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $28,601. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $56,368. That is a strong return on a $28,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

17

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #17 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

18

Norwich University
Northfield, VT

Norwich University earned the #18 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,740. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $48,799. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

19

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,893. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $87,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $73,871. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

21

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH

Southern New Hampshire University landed the #21 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,103 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University generally make around $53,211. That is a strong return on a $29,103 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT

University Of New Haven placed #22 among the best values for mechanical engineering. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $62,534. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

23

Wentworth Institute Of Technology
Boston, MA

Wentworth Institute Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Boston, Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,884. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $77,828. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #24 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $78,441 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.

25

Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College earned the #25 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.