2026 Best Value Engineering Mechanics Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their Engineering Mechanics program here. Median earnings reach $75,121 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. About 27% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin

#2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Champaign, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values in the United States. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete their Engineering Mechanics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,054 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

#3

Iowa State University

Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #3 on this year's best-value Engineering Mechanics ranking in the United States. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering Mechanics student debt is $23,495. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,386 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University has an acceptance rate of 89%. Read more about Iowa State University

#4

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Out of the 29 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Cornell University landed the #4 spot. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $104,043. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%. Read more about Cornell University

#5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on this year's best-value Engineering Mechanics ranking in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering Mechanics program debt is $27,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,698 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report

#6

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical Engineering Mechanics student debt is $23,530. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $54,810 a decade after entry. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

#7

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Median earnings reach $67,253 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%. Read more about Michigan State University

#8

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Engineering Mechanics students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $114,862. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Carnegie Mellon University report

#9

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Engineering Mechanics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,363 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%. Read more about Northwestern University

#10

University Of Dayton

University Of Dayton offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Read more about University Of Dayton

#11

University Of Utah

University Of Utah came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Utah

#12

Carroll College

Carroll College placed #12 among the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools in the United States. More on Carroll College

#13

Lee College

Lee College placed #13 among the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools in the United States. Read more about Lee College

#14

California Institute Of Technology

California Institute Of Technology landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. More on California Institute Of Technology

#15

Northwest Vista College

Northwest Vista College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. See the full Northwest Vista College profile

#16

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report

#17

Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University

#18

University Of Wisconsin Madison

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #18 among the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report

#19

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. More on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

#20

Rogue Community College

Rogue Community College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Rogue Community College report

#21

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology

#22

Villanova University

Villanova University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Villanova University

#23

Duke University

Duke University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Mechanics schools. More on Duke University

#24

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University

#25

Howard Payne University

Howard Payne University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. See the full Howard Payne University profile

#26

Southern Adventist University

Southern Adventist University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Southern Adventist University

#27

Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read the full report on Cleveland State University

#28

Columbia University In The City Of New York

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York

#29

The University Of Alabama

The University Of Alabama came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read more about The University Of Alabama