2026 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Manufacturing Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 89 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Manufacturing Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Brigham Young University Provo tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering master's degree schools in the United States. Set in Provo, UT, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants. See the full Brigham Young University Provo profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bradley University earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Peoria, IL. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $27,000. Bradley University alumni report median earnings of $66,852 a decade after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Bradley University
You'll get strong value at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #3 this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,398. University Of St Thomas Minnesota Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $23,923 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,739 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Stout one of the best values in the United States. Based in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $29,814. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,084 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,814 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stout
You'll get strong value at San Diego State University, which ranked #5 this year. Based in San Diego, CA, San Diego State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. San Diego State University Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $16,417 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,909. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted. See the full San Diego State University profile
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $82,511 ten years out. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #7 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $22,113. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,758 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $24,323. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 14%. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Lehigh University placed #9 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Typical Manufacturing Engineering student debt is $23,008. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $105,584. That is a strong return on a $23,008 median debt. Lehigh University has an acceptance rate of 26%. Read more about Lehigh University
Texas Tech University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public school based in Dearborn, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,649 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn has an acceptance rate of 56%. See the full University Of Michigan Dearborn profile
Worcester Polytechnic Institute placed #12 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,765 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $103,470. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%. See the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute profile
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Missouri University Of Science And Technology Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $25,187 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,957. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology has an acceptance rate of 72%. More on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a public school based in Edinburg, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $14,694. Median earnings reach $49,620 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%. Get the full The University Of Texas Pan American report
Arizona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $24,253 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,668 ten years after entry. Set against $24,253 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of California Irvine placed #16 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $16,539. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 29% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of California Irvine
California State University Northridge landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $16,202. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,115 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge has an acceptance rate of 93%. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $19,819. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,923. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants. See the full The University Of Texas At El Paso profile
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Located in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,810 ten years after entry. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Southern Methodist University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $78,354 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Methodist University has an acceptance rate of 63%. Get the full Southern Methodist University report
Carnegie Mellon University placed #21 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $23,529. Graduates go on to earn a median of $114,862 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. This public school is set in Golden, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $24,521. Colorado School Of Mines alumni report median earnings of $97,335 a decade after entry. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines has an acceptance rate of 61%. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public school based in Newark, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. New Jersey Institute Of Technology Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $24,755 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. See the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology profile
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #24 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,202. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $26,774. Illinois Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $82,592 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%. Get the full Illinois Institute Of Technology report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Median earnings reach $83,648 ten years out. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Manufacturing Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Based in Rochester, NY, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $76,571. That is a strong return on a $27,491 median debt. Rochester Institute Of Technology has an acceptance rate of 67%. See the full Rochester Institute Of Technology profile
University Of Kentucky placed #27 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Kentucky is a public school based in Lexington, KY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. University Of Kentucky Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $24,094 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,025 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Kentucky
University Of Connecticut ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. This public school is set in Storrs, CT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete their Manufacturing Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #30 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Located in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. The median Manufacturing Engineering program debt is $23,312. Median earnings reach $57,131 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Wayne State University landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Wayne State University Manufacturing Engineering students take on a median of $26,689 in debt. Median earnings reach $53,493 ten years out. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%. Get the full Wayne State University report
Boston University landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Median earnings reach $83,238 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University has an acceptance rate of 11%. See the full Boston University profile
University Of Toledo offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full University Of Toledo profile
Saint Cloud State University placed #33 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Saint Cloud State University
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on The University Of Tennessee
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. Get the full Wright State University Main Campus report
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. Read more about California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pitzer College
Pitzer College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. Read more about Pitzer College
University Of North Alabama offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. More on University Of North Alabama
Hudson County Community College placed #40 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Hudson County Community College profile
Mercer County Community College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. Read the full report on Mercer County Community College
Wichita State University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Wichita State University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #43 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Rowan University
Rowan University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Rowan University
Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Dunwoody College Of Technology
University Of Arizona placed #46 among the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Arizona report
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Manufacturing Engineering schools. Read the full report on The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Fairfield University landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Fairfield University
Oregon State University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Oregon State University report
Grand Valley State University offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full Grand Valley State University report
Related Manufacturing Engineering Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 89 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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