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2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k

28 Ranked Colleges
5,137 Degrees Awarded
$20,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 California, there were 5,137 general mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 California For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering (Income $75-$110k) in California

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 253 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $13,623 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, 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 86%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Stanford

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Davis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 274 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $18,728 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Davis

3

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 252 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $20,697 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school awarded 320 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $21,601 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UC Berkeley.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 University of California - Berkeley

5

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - San Diego landed the #5 spot on the list. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 379 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $20,906 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at University of California - San Diego

6

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 173 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k list, Cal State LA has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $10,011 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at California State University - Los Angeles

7

California State University - Fullerton landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 211 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $12,977 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Cal State Fullerton

8

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to 359 students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $20,567 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Irvine General Mechanical Engineering Report

9

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 194 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CSULB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,101 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full CSULB General Mechanical Engineering Report

10

California State University - Northridge landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 234 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,380 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Northridge.

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 California State University - Northridge

11
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 243 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $18,957 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Diego State University General Mechanical Engineering Report

12

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is a public institution located in San Luis Obispo, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 321 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $22,744 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

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

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

13

With a ranking of #13, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 247 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $18,166 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona

14

California State University - Sacramento landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 229 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Sac State also took the #22 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $16,925 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Sacramento General Mechanical Engineering Report

15

California State University - Fresno ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 71 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,789 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full California State University - Fresno General Mechanical Engineering Report

16

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 93 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Barbara is $21,581 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 91%.

Full UCSB General Mechanical Engineering Report

17

University of California - Riverside ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 144 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.

UCR also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $16,887 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of California - Riverside

18
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 209 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $21,035 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at San Jose State

19

California State University - Chico ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 72 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $20,708 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 General Mechanical Engineering at Chico State

20
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 217 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $32,363 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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.

Full USC General Mechanical Engineering Report

21

With a ranking of #21, University of California - Merced did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. UC Merced is a public institution located in Merced, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 171 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Merced did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Merced is $19,795 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 86%.

Full UC Merced General Mechanical Engineering Report

22
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California

With a ranking of #22, Santa Clara University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Santa Clara, California, and it awarded 71 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SCU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $34,770 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Santa Clara University.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Santa Clara University

23

California State University Maritime Academy ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. California State University Maritime Academy is a small public school situated in Vallejo, California. It awarded 19 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Maritime not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $23,669 for california general mechanical engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Cal Maritime.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal Maritime General Mechanical Engineering Report

24
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k list. San Francisco State University is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 102 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $20,159 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at SFSU

25
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. California Baptist University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 58 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Baptist not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in California” list. It costs about $28,614 for California General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Cal Baptist.

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%.

Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at California Baptist University

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