2023 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Mechanical Engineering School for You
In 2020-2021, 46,178 people earned a degree or certificate in mechanical engineering, making the major the #21 most popular in the United States.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 319 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best value experiences for ME students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Mechanical Engineering
Our analysis found Brigham Young University - Idaho to be the best value school for mechanical engineering students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. Located in the distant town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.
BYU - I undergraduate students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees each year. On average, ME graduates from BYU - I take out $16,880 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Out of the 319 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the small city of Mayaguez, UPR Mayaguez is a public college with a large student population.
UPR Mayaguez undergraduate students pay an average of $4,840 in tuition and fees each year. ME majors at UPR Mayaguez take out an average of $8,250 in student loans while working on their egree.
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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Brigham Young University - Provo is a great value for mechanical engineering students. Located in the midsize city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU are $6,120 a year. After completing their degree, ME graduates from BYU carry an average student debtload of $10,544.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, BYU also did well on our Best Mechanical Engineering Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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Out of the 319 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University Maritime Academy landed the # 4 spot on the list. Cal Maritime is a fairly small public school located in the medium-sized city of Vallejo.
Cal Maritime undergraduate students pay an average of $18,996 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, ME majors at Cal Maritime accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.
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Out of the 319 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Austin Community College District landed the # 5 spot on the list. Austin Community College District is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Austin.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Austin Community College District are $10,590 per year.
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With a ranking of #6, University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students. UW - Stout is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW - Stout are $17,820 per year. While working on their degree, ME majors at UW - Stout accumulate an average of around $27,123 in student debt.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, UW - Stout also did well on our Best Mechanical Engineering Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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West Texas A&M University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value mechanical engineering programs. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at West Texas A&M University are $11,208 a year. After completing their degree, ME graduates from West Texas A&M University carry an average student debtload of $19,042.
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University of Akron Main Campus landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value mechanical engineering programs. Located in the city of Akron, University of Akron Main Campus is a public college with a large student population.
University of Akron Main Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $11,880 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, ME graduates from University of Akron Main Campus carry an average student debtload of $27,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $228.
Full Mechanical Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus Report
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Central Michigan University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking. Central Michigan is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Central Michigan are $13,094 a year. On average, ME graduates from Central Michigan take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $274.
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South Dakota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for mechanical engineering students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the remote town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public college with a fairly large student population.
South Dakota State undergraduate students pay an average of $12,809 in tuition and fees each year. ME majors at South Dakota State take out an average of $26,750 in student loans while working on their egree.
South Dakota State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Mechanical Engineering Schools list.
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North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value mechanical engineering programs. North Dakota State University is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at North Dakota State University are $14,876 per year. While working on their degree, ME majors at North Dakota State University accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.
North Dakota State University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Mechanical Engineering Schools list.
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University of Wisconsin - Platteville came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking. Located in the distant town of Platteville, UW - Platteville is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - Platteville are $16,483 a year. On average, ME graduates from UW - Platteville take out $26,319 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $180.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW - Platteville also is in the top 10% of our Best Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking.
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With a ranking of #13, Youngstown State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students. Located in the small city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Youngstown State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,732 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, ME graduates from Youngstown State University carry an average student debtload of $23,000.
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University of North Dakota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for mechanical engineering students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the city of Grand Forks, UND is a public school with a large student population.
UND undergraduate students pay an average of $15,037 in tuition and fees each year. On average, ME graduates from UND take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UND also is in the top 15% of our Best Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking.
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking. SIUE is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville.
SIUE undergraduate students pay an average of $11,496 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, ME graduates from SIUE carry an average student debtload of $21,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $231.
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Lake Superior State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools list. Located in the remote town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a public school with a small student population.
Lake Superior State University undergraduate students pay an average of $13,200 in tuition and fees each year.
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Northern Illinois University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools list. NIU is a fairly large public school located in the small suburb of Dekalb.
NIU undergraduate students pay an average of $14,738 in tuition and fees each year. ME majors at NIU take out an average of $26,871 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $192.
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With a ranking of #18, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students. Located in the city of Rapid City, SD Mines is a public school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SD Mines are $16,530 per year. The average amount in student loans that ME majors at SD Mines take out is $27,825. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $251.
Full Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Report
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Grand Valley State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools list. Located in the suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at GVSU are $19,628 a year. While working on their degree, ME majors at GVSU accumulate an average of around $28,407 in student debt.
Full Mechanical Engineering at Grand Valley State University Report
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Baker College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value mechanical engineering programs. Baker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso.
Baker College undergraduate students pay an average of $12,420 in tuition and fees each year. On average, ME graduates from Baker College take out $25,970 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Wright State University - Lake Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for mechanical engineering students. It came in at #21 on the list. Wright State University - Lake Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Celina.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Wright State University - Lake Campus are $16,015 a year. On average, ME graduates from Wright State University - Lake Campus take out $23,945 in student loans while working on their degree.
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Purdue University Northwest landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value mechanical engineering programs. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue Northwest is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Purdue Northwest are $14,349 per year. After completing their degree, ME graduates from Purdue Northwest carry an average student debtload of $24,500.
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SUNY Maritime College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value mechanical engineering programs. SUNY Maritime College is a small public school located in the city of Throggs Neck.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SUNY Maritime College are $18,432 a year. After completing their degree, ME graduates from SUNY Maritime College carry an average student debtload of $26,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $334.
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Louisiana Tech University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value mechanical engineering programs. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Louisiana Tech are $16,806 a year. While working on their degree, ME majors at Louisiana Tech accumulate an average of around $26,705 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $191.
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Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools ranking. Ship is a moderately-sized public school located in the fringe town of Shippensburg.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ship are $14,122 per year.
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Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great value schools for Mechanical Engineering students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Mankato, MN |
| 49 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA |
| 50 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, IL |
| 51 | The College of New Jersey | Ewing, NJ |
| 52 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX |
| 53 | Michigan Technological University | Houghton, MI |
| 54 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus | Atlanta, GA |
| 55 | Lawrence Technological University | Southfield, MI |
| 56 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln | Lincoln, NE |
| 57 | Florida International University | Miami, FL |
| 58 | Montana Technological University | Butte, MT |
| 59 | University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY |
| 59 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL |
| 61 | University of Wisconsin - Madison | Madison, WI |
| 61 | Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR |
| 63 | University of New Orleans | New Orleans, LA |
| 63 | University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown | Johnstown, PA |
Mechanical Engineering by Region
View the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Mechanical Engineering Rankings
Mechanical Engineering Related Majors for ME
One of 40 majors within the area of study, mechanical engineering has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | 28,844 |
| Civil Engineering | 21,388 |
| Computer Engineering | 17,987 |
| Chemical Engineering | 12,917 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 12,811 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Michel Villeneuve.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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