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

64 Ranked Colleges
9,524 Degrees Awarded
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast 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 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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 64 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general mechanical engineering program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 $48-$75k” 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k 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.

Duke also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $7,160 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 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%. 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.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Duke University

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 64 schools in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 66 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $7,694 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, 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 Vanderbilt University

3
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 #3 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. 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. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $8,394 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UF

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school handed out 794 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $15,415 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus.

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 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Georgia Tech General Mechanical Engineering Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Central Florida. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 503 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

UCF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $9,426 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCF.

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 3.7% 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%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of Central Florida

6

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 243 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $9,669 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend USF Tampa.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus General Mechanical Engineering Report

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #7, Florida State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 109 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $11,506 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full Florida State University General Mechanical Engineering Report

8

Florida International University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. FIU is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 174 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $7,292 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Florida International University

9
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 took the #7 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NC State is $14,424 for southeast 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full NC State General Mechanical Engineering Report

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

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 64 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia - Main Campus is $16,019 for Southeast 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full University of Virginia General Mechanical Engineering Report

11
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 466 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $18,372 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 93%.

Full Virginia Tech General Mechanical Engineering Report

12
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Morgantown, West Virginia, and it awarded 170 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,077 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend West Virginia University.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at WVU

13
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Clemson is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 385 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Clemson also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $20,797 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Clemson University.

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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University

14
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #14, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Florida is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 82 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNF is $10,194 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of North Florida

15
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 106 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,647 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NC A&T.

Full North Carolina A & T State University General Mechanical Engineering Report

16
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 172 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,037 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UGA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at University of Georgia

17

With a ranking of #17, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 55 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,301 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UWF.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at The University of West Florida

18
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida Atlantic University is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 122 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend FAU is $12,323 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Florida Atlantic University

19
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UK is a large school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 188 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UK is $16,708 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UK General Mechanical Engineering Report

20
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

With a ranking of #20, Mississippi State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 216 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

Mississippi State also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Mississippi State University is $18,449 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University

21

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 133 students in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $19,623 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 more about General Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. The Citadel is a public institution located in Charleston, South Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Citadel Military College of South Carolina is $13,358 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Citadel Military College of South Carolina General Mechanical Engineering Report

23

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNC Charlotte is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 249 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte is $16,938 for Southeast Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

24
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this large public school handed out 142 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UARK is $16,256 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 University of Arkansas General Mechanical Engineering Report

25
UofL crest
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky

With a ranking of #25, University of Louisville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Louisville, Kentucky, and it awarded 153 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,380 for southeast region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Louisville.

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%.

Full University of Louisville General Mechanical Engineering Report

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