2026 Best Value Engineering Mechanics Schools

#1

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 best-value Engineering Mechanics school in the United States. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The median Engineering Mechanics program debt is $21,275. The University Of Texas At Austin alumni report median earnings of $75,121 a decade after entry. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin

#2

Villanova University

Villanova, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Villanova University earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Villanova, PA. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Villanova University Engineering Mechanics students take on a median of $26,184 in debt. Median earnings reach $100,423 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants. See the full Villanova University profile

#3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Champaign, IL

Out of the 29 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #3 spot. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Engineering Mechanics student debt is $20,778. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report

#4

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Out of the 29 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #4 spot. Located in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Missouri University Of Science And Technology Engineering Mechanics students take on a median of $25,187 in debt. Median earnings reach $82,957 ten years out. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Missouri University Of Science And Technology

#5

Iowa State University

Ames, IA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Iowa State University

#6

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $104,043 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%. More on Cornell University

#7

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus Engineering Mechanics students take on a median of $24,323 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $102,772 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 14%. Get the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus report

#8

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering Mechanics program debt is $27,500. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University alumni report median earnings of $81,698 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile

#9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools in the United States. This public school is set in Cincinnati, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. The median Engineering Mechanics program debt is $23,530. Median earnings reach $54,810 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

#10

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University Engineering Mechanics students take on a median of $25,213 in debt. Median earnings reach $67,253 ten years out. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants. More on Michigan State University

#11

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University placed #11 among the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $114,862. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University has an acceptance rate of 12%. More on Carnegie Mellon University

#11

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Northwestern University

#13

University Of Wisconsin Madison

Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $26,432 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. That is a strong return on a $26,432 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison

#14

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Engineering Mechanics students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $87,555. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 6% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Johns Hopkins University

#15

Carroll College

Carroll College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full Carroll College report

#16

Northwest Vista College

Northwest Vista College landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Northwest Vista College

#17

Columbia University In The City Of New York

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #17 among the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools in the United States. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile

#18

Howard Payne University

Howard Payne University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Howard Payne University report

#19

Lee College

Lee College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools. Read the full report on Lee College

#20

University Of Utah

University Of Utah landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Utah report

#21

Southern Adventist University

Southern Adventist University came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. More on Southern Adventist University

#22

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. See the full The University Of Alabama profile

#23

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report

#24

Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Michigan Technological University

#25

California Institute Of Technology

California Institute Of Technology landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full California Institute Of Technology report

#26

Rogue Community College

Rogue Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Rogue Community College

#27

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Cleveland State University

#28

Duke University

Duke University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. See the full Duke University profile

#29

University Of Dayton

University Of Dayton placed #29 among the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Dayton report