2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Massachusetts

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

For return on investment in mechanical engineering, no school beat Harvard University this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. 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%.

2

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,334 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $119,923. Set against $11,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

3

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. 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. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.

4

Olin College
Needham, MA

Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Olin College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Needham, Olin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $63,742 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $14,512. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Olin College generally make around $87,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olin College admits about 25% of applicants.

5

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,972. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $71,559. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.

7

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #7 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Boston University earn a median of $82,283 early in their careers. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

8

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,893 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $87,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,893 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.

9

Wentworth Institute Of Technology
Boston, MA

Wentworth Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,884 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Wentworth Institute Of Technology earn a median of $77,828 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wentworth Institute Of Technology admits about 91% of applicants.

10

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #10 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $16,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,441. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

11

Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College landed the #11 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. 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%.

12

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #12 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $92,706 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.