2023 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree 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.
The Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 316 schools in the United States to see which bachelor's degree 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 for a Bachelor's 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 bachelor’s degree in the United States. Located in the distant town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
BYU - I undergraduate students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, ME graduates from BYU - I carry an average student debtload of $19,024.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Mayaguez, UPR Mayaguez is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UPR Mayaguez are $4,840 a year. On average, ME graduates from UPR Mayaguez take out $10,963 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the medium-sized city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU are $6,120 per year. The average amount in student loans that ME majors at BYU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $15,816.
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Out of the 316 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. The average amount in student loans that ME majors at Cal Maritime take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $29,280.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. 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 Bachelor's Degree, ME majors at UW - Stout accumulate an average of around $27,238 in student debt.
In addition to its great value ranking, UW - Stout is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
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West Texas A&M University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree mechanical engineering programs. Located in the fringe town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public school with a medium-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 Bachelor's Degree, ME graduates from West Texas A&M University carry an average student debtload of $22,417.
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University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for mechanical engineering students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the city of Akron, University of Akron Main Campus is a public college with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at University of Akron Main Campus are $11,880 a year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, ME graduates from University of Akron Main Campus carry an average student debtload of $25,445. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $228.
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South Dakota State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the remote town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at South Dakota State are $12,809 a year.
In addition to its great value ranking, South Dakota State is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
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With a ranking of #9, Central Michigan University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. 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. 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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North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.
North Dakota State University undergraduate students pay an average of $14,876 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, ME majors at North Dakota State University accumulate an average of around $24,950 in student debt.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, North Dakota State University also is in the top 15% of our Best Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking.
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With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the distant town of Platteville, UW - Platteville is a public college 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. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, ME majors at UW - Platteville accumulate an average of around $23,668 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $180.
UW - Platteville also claimed a spot on our Best Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
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With a ranking of #12, Youngstown State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Youngstown State University undergraduate students pay an average of $9,732 in tuition and fees each year. On average, ME graduates from Youngstown State University take out $24,689 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
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University of North Dakota ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Grand Forks, UND is a public college with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UND are $15,037 a year. On average, ME graduates from UND take out $26,782 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
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With a ranking of #14, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. SIUE is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SIUE are $11,496 a year. The average amount in student loans that ME majors at SIUE take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $22,299. 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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With a ranking of #15, Lake Superior State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. 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. On average, ME graduates from Lake Superior State University take out $29,037 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Rapid City, SD Mines is a public college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SD Mines are $16,530 per year. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $251.
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Northern Illinois University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. NIU is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NIU are $14,738 per year. On average, ME graduates from NIU take out $27,219 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $192.
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Grand Valley State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree mechanical engineering programs. Located in the large suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.
GVSU undergraduate students pay an average of $19,628 in tuition and fees each year.
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Baker College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Baker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Baker College are $12,420 per year.
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With a ranking of #20, Wright State University - Lake Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. 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. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, ME graduates from Wright State University - Lake Campus carry an average student debtload of $25,417.
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SUNY Maritime College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. SUNY Maritime College is a small public school located in the large 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. ME majors at SUNY Maritime College take out an average of $21,931 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $334.
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Louisiana Tech University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the distant town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech is a public college with a large student population.
Louisiana Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $16,806 in tuition and fees each year. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $191.
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With a ranking of #23, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. Ship is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ship are $14,122 per year.
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With a ranking of #24, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the small city of Duluth, UMN Duluth is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMN Duluth are $19,148 per year. While working on their Bachelor's Degree, ME majors at UMN Duluth accumulate an average of around $23,980 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $209.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UMN Duluth also is in the top 20% of our Best Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking.
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California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for mechanical engineering students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are $28,105 a year. ME majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take out an average of $19,650 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $418.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
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Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA |
| 50 | The College of New Jersey | Ewing, NJ |
| 51 | Florida International University | Miami, FL |
| 52 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL |
| 53 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus | Atlanta, GA |
| 54 | University of South Florida - Main Campus | Tampa, FL |
| 55 | Montana Technological University | Butte, MT |
| 56 | University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY |
| 57 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC |
| 57 | Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR |
| 59 | Wright State University - Main Campus | Dayton, OH |
| 59 | University of New Orleans | New Orleans, LA |
| 59 | University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown | Johnstown, PA |
| 62 | Virginia Tech | Blacksburg, VA |
| 63 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL |
Mechanical Engineering by Region
View the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
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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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