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2026 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
El Paso Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools in Texas. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned it the #2 place for mechanical engineering. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $65,167 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $15,500. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,043. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Lone Star College System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,848 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $15,848 median debt.
Odessa College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #6 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $18,875. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $56,135. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rice University placed #8 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $82,899 early in their careers. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #10 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $29,000. 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.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #11 position for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $64,313. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $87,849. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University came in at #13 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $56,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Texarkana came in at #14 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,349, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,270 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Texarkana generally make around $44,862. Set against $25,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Texarkana admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #15 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $64,977. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Angelo State University placed #16 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,237. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $46,134. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #17 position for value in mechanical engineering 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,974 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $68,173 early in their careers. Set against $26,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #18 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. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $66,678. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,080 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $80,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $66,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #21 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $90,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,705 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $74,755. Set against $24,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas Tech University came in at #23 for value in mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,396 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,268. That is a strong return on a $25,396 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University landed the #24 spot for mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $48,585. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
West Texas A And M University came in at #25 for value in mechanical engineering this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $21,125. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $78,028. That is a strong return on a $21,125 median debt. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mechanical engineering:
[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.
