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2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

64 Ranked Colleges
9,524 Degrees Awarded
$9,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 46,178 people earned their degree in general mechanical engineering, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 9,524 general mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 64 colleges that offered a degree in general mechanical engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general mechanical engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general mechanical engineering 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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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Duke is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 141 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $-927 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Duke University. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Duke General Mechanical Engineering Report

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 597 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $2,857 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Florida.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UF

3
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 66 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $4,652 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University

4

Out of the 64 schools in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 794 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $11,712 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech

5

Out of the 64 schools in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 243 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,632 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USF Tampa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 General Mechanical Engineering at USF Tampa

6
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 402 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

NC State also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $9,448 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NC State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 full report on General Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina State University

7

University of Central Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Central Florida is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 503 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $6,256 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCF.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UCF

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #8, Florida State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 109 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $7,349 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida State University General Mechanical Engineering Report

9

Florida International University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school handed out 174 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

FIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,882 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida International University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full FIU General Mechanical Engineering Report

10
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #10, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 64 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $10,063 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Virginia General Mechanical Engineering Report

11
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 466 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,003 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech

12
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 82 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,074 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNF.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 full report on General Mechanical Engineering at UNF

13
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

With a ranking of #13, Clemson University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Clemson University is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 385 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,650 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Clemson University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Clemson

14
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 172 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $10,688 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full University of Georgia General Mechanical Engineering Report

14
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FAU is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 122 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,262 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Florida Atlantic University

16
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NC A&T is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 106 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend North Carolina A & T State University is $9,170 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at NC A&T

17

The University of West Florida came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UWF is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,827 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UWF

18
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. WVU is a public institution located in Morgantown, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 170 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $10,250 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend West Virginia University.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at West Virginia University

19

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 190 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Knoxville is $13,970 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville General Mechanical Engineering Report

20
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Mississippi State is a large public school situated in Mississippi State, Mississippi. It awarded 216 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mississippi State is $13,553 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Mississippi State University General Mechanical Engineering Report

21

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Louisiana State University is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 133 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Louisiana State University, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,403 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University

22

Citadel Military College of South Carolina did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. The Citadel is a small public school situated in Charleston, South Carolina. It awarded 95 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The Citadel is $12,364 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Citadel Military College of South Carolina General Mechanical Engineering Report

23

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 249 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,226 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

24
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UK is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 188 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UK also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UK is $13,424 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Kentucky General Mechanical Engineering Report

25
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. University of Arkansas is a large public school situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It awarded 142 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,690 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Arkansas.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of Arkansas

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