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2023 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

26 Ranked Colleges
1,235 Degrees Awarded
$7,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology is the 201st most popular major in the country with 3,682 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,235 mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the mechanical engineering/mechanical technology/technician program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The me tech school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified ’s ME tech students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $245 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Northwestern

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 184 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,995 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Purdue

3

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 16 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

Cincinnati State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is $3,610 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

4
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Ferris State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Big Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME tech degrees to 98 students in 2020-2021.

Ferris also took the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ferris State University is $6,577 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Ferris

5
Owens State Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, Ohio

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Owens Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Owens State Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Perrysburg, Ohio. It awarded 3 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

Owens State Community College also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $8,505 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Owens Community College.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Owens Community College

6
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 38 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

Ivy Tech Community College also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Ivy Tech Community College is $6,213 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Ivy Tech Community College Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Report

7

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. This medium-sized school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 53 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue Northwest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $6,775 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue Northwest.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Purdue University Northwest

8

With a ranking of #8, Sinclair Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sinclair Community College has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $3,594 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Sinclair Community College

9

Michigan Technological University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s ME tech degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan Tech has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,520 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Michigan Tech.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Michigan Tech

10

Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cuyahoga Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 3 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cuyahoga Community College District has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cuyahoga Community College District is $3,141 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Cuyahoga Community College District

11

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 48 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $7,026 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full IUPUI Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Report

12
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, Ohio

Stark State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Stark State College is located in North Canton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s ME tech degrees to qualified students.

Stark State College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stark State College is $5,937 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Stark State College

13
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Indiana State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Terre Haute, Indiana. It awarded 63 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

Indiana State also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $10,104 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana State University.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Indiana State

14
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

With a ranking of #14, Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and it awarded 48 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

PFW also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $7,414 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Purdue University Fort Wayne

15
Zane State College crest
Zane State College
Zanesville, Ohio

Zane State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Zanesville, Ohio, this small public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified ’s ME tech students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Zane State College, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Zane State College is $5,189 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Zane State College

16

Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Youngstown State University also took the #20 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $9,175 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Youngstown State University

17

With a ranking of #17, Miami University - Hamilton did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami University - Hamilton is a public institution located in Hamilton, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k list, Miami University - Hamilton has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Hamilton is $10,607 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Miami University - Hamilton

18
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME tech degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $11,060 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Wayne State University

19
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 28 diplomas to qualified ’s ME tech students in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $10,805 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Michigan University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Central Michigan University

20

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 96 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Akron Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $14,420 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Report

21
University of Toledo crest
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio

University of Toledo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Toledo, Ohio, and it awarded 71 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Toledo has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Toledo is $13,803 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at University of Toledo

22
Kent State University at Tuscarawas crest
Kent State University at Tuscarawas
New Philadelphia, Ohio

Kent State University at Tuscarawas ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kent State University at Tuscarawas is a small public school situated in New Philadelphia, Ohio. It awarded 5 ’s ME tech degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Tuscarawas is $6,940 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Kent State University at Tuscarawas

23

Miami University - Middletown came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Middletown, Ohio, this small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s ME tech students in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Middletown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Middletown is $8,572 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Miami University - Middletown

24

Kent State University at Kent ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s ME tech degrees to qualified students.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kent State is $13,793 for Great Lakes Region ME Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Kent State

25
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Tech Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified ’s ME tech students in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $12,465 for great lakes region me tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology at Eastern Michigan University

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