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.
Featured schools near , edit
2023 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for ME majors pursuing a bachelor's degree.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality for a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering
Our 2023 rankings named Brigham Young University - Idaho the best value school in the United States for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the distant town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU - I are $4,416 a year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, ME graduates from BYU - I carry an average student debtload of $19,024.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University - Idaho
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools in the United States. 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. On average, ME graduates from UPR Mayaguez take out $10,963 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
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 midsize city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.
BYU undergraduate students pay an average of $6,120 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that ME majors at BYU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $15,816.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means California State University Maritime Academy is a great value for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. Cal Maritime is a fairly small public school located in the 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.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at California State University Maritime Academy
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Wisconsin - Stout helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value mechanical engineering schools in the United States. UW - Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Menomonie.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - Stout are $17,820 a 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.
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 college 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 Bachelor's Degree, ME graduates from West Texas A&M University carry an average student debtload of $22,417.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at West Texas A&M University
University of Akron Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Akron, University of Akron Main Campus is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at University of Akron Main Campus are $11,880 per 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.
South Dakota State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the 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.
South Dakota State 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.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University
Central Michigan University 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 #9 on the list. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant.
Central Michigan undergraduate students pay an average of $13,094 in tuition and fees each 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.
Full Mechanical Engineering at Central Michigan University Report
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 city of Fargo.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at North Dakota State University are $14,876 a 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.
North Dakota State University 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.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at North Dakota State University - Main Campus
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 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. 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.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Wisconsin - Platteville
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 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.
University of North Dakota came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the small city of Grand Forks, UND is a public college 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 $26,782 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of North Dakota
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 fairly 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.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Lake Superior State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list. Located in the remote town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Lake Superior State University are $13,200 a year. On average, ME graduates from Lake Superior State University take out $29,037 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Lake Superior State University
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Rapid City, SD Mines is a public school with a small student population.
SD Mines undergraduate students pay an average of $16,530 in tuition and fees each 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.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Northern Illinois University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. NIU is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NIU are $14,738 a 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.
Full Mechanical Engineering at Northern Illinois University Report
With a ranking of #17, Grand Valley 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 suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public college 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.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Grand Valley State University
With a ranking of #19, Baker College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for mechanical engineering students working on their bachelor’s degree. Baker College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Baker College are $12,420 a year.
Wright State University - Lake 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 #20 on the list. Wright State University - Lake Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Celina.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wright State University - Lake Campus are $16,015 per year. After completing their Bachelor's Degree, ME graduates from Wright State University - Lake Campus carry an average student debtload of $25,417.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Wright State University - Lake Campus
SUNY Maritime College 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 #21 on the 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.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools ranking. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech is a public college with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Louisiana Tech are $16,806 per year. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $191.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University
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 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.
Full Mechanical Engineering at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Report
University of Minnesota - Duluth 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 #24 on the list. Located in the small city of Duluth, UMN Duluth is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
UMN Duluth undergraduate students pay an average of $19,148 in tuition and fees each 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.
Full Mechanical Engineering at University of Minnesota - Duluth Report
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 small suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are $28,105 per 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.
In addition to its great value ranking, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools list.
Full Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Report
Rest of the Top Best Value Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools
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 |
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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.