ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Montana

2 Colleges in the United States
$25,380 Avg Student Debt
$53,796 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Badge [Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 14.19), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Automotive & Engine Repair)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Automotive & Engine Repair)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Montana

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools

1

Leading the list is Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana, our #1 best value for mechanical engineering in Montana. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public school located in the town of Butte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,289, with out-of-state students paying around $26,094. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana admits about 91% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Montana State University one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,011. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $68,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,011 median debt. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #173
View All Mechanical Engineering Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 2 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options