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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

54 Ranked Colleges
7,978 Degrees Awarded
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 Great Lakes region, there were 7,978 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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 54 colleges that offered a degree in general mechanical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general mechanical engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general mechanical engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) 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 General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 142 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $5,849 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 462 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $10,481 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
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 #3 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 582 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

Purdue also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $8,450 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus General Mechanical Engineering Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 268 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $10,364 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, 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 UW - Madison

5

Out of the 54 schools in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 300 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,505 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

Full UIUC General Mechanical Engineering Report

6

Michigan Technological University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Houghton, Michigan, and it awarded 429 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,794 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Michigan Tech General Mechanical Engineering Report

7
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

With a ranking of #7, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 135 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Notre Dame is $14,020 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at University of Notre Dame

8

With a ranking of #8, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 325 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $13,273 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Ohio State

9
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Oakland University is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 222 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $12,008 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Oakland.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland University General Mechanical Engineering Report

10

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 183 students in 2020-2021.

UM Dearborn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $12,398 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.

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 full report on General Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan - Dearborn

11

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. IUPUI is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 235 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $13,306 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full IUPUI General Mechanical Engineering Report

12

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 222 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,105 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UIC

13
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Wayne State University is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 163 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State is $13,612 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Wayne State University General Mechanical Engineering Report

14
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 308 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,557 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Michigan State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Michigan State General Mechanical Engineering Report

15

With a ranking of #15, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 125 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Case Western also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,864 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Case Western.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Case Western

16

University of Wisconsin - Stout ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Stout is a medium-sized public school situated in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It awarded 71 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stout is $15,247 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 full report on General Mechanical Engineering at UW - Stout

17

University of Wisconsin - Platteville came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW - Platteville is a medium-sized school located in Platteville, Wisconsin that handed out 198 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Platteville is $13,699 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UW - Platteville

18

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 72 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,950 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

19

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 331 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $20,867 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

20

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Purdue Northwest is a public institution located in Hammond, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue University Northwest is $12,829 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Purdue Northwest General Mechanical Engineering Report

21

University of Toledo came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Toledo is a public institution located in Toledo, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 193 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Toledo also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend University of Toledo is $17,555 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of Toledo

22

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 61 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,499 for Great Lakes Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Full SIUC General Mechanical Engineering Report

23

Grand Valley State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. GVSU is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 70 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $15,277 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at GVSU

24

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 215 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Akron Main Campus also took the #24 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $18,860 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

25

Youngstown State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Youngstown, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 72 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Youngstown State University is $13,754 for great lakes region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Youngstown State University

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