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

4 Colleges in the United States
$24,612 Avg Student Debt
$51,336 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 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 Idaho

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

For return on investment in mechanical engineering, no school beat Brigham Young University Idaho this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,613 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $68,943 early in their careers. Set against $17,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Idaho earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $65,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

3

A rank of #3 makes Idaho State University one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $66,385 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boise State University earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $62,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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