2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Virginia

1

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University tops our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $71,774. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $73,570. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA

Virginia Military Institute came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,971 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $47,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants.

4

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Commonwealth University earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $22,235 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $73,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,235 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

5

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Virginia Main Campus one of the best values for mechanical engineering. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $74,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.

6

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $80,722. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

7

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #7 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $65,794. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.