2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

1

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,759 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $62,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

3

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Socorro, NM

A rank of #3 makes New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $74,983. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.

4

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $73,043 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned it the #5 place for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $65,167. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

6

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,848 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $15,848 median debt.

7

Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College landed the #7 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.

8

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #8 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,875. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $78,083 early in their careers. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

9

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $82,899. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

10

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $21,678 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $56,135. Set against $21,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.

11

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #11 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $20,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $81,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

12

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #12 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,100. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

13

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University placed #13 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $68,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

14

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #14 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $87,849. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

15

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $64,313. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

16

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University landed the #16 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $56,371. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

17

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #17 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $64,977. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

18

Texas A And M University Texarkana
Texarkana, TX

Texas A And M University Texarkana ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. In-state tuition and fees average $8,349, compared with $24,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $25,270. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Texarkana earn a median of $44,862 early in their careers. Set against $25,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

19

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $68,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,974 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

20

Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University placed #20 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,237. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.

21

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University landed the #21 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,409 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $63,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

22

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $23,391 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $75,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,391 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

23

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #23 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $24,080. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $80,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

24

Prairie View A And M University
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A And M University came in at #24 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

25

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $69,905. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.