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2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

19 Ranked Colleges
352 Degrees Awarded
$33,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 47,598 people earned their degree in mechanical engineering, making the major the 20th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $64,495 and had an average of $23,104 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 8,300 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $68,192 and $24,168 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 352 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in mechanical engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great mechanical engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

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

More Ways to Rank Mechanical Engineering Schools

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 ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 19 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s ME degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern Mechanical Engineering Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s ME degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

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

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW - Madison Mechanical Engineering Report

#4

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 13 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Notre Dame

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 51 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Mechanical Engineering Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Michigan Technological University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Houghton, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s ME degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan Technological University are $21,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan Tech Mechanical Engineering Report

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s ME degrees to 60 students in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University - Main Campus

#8

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#8 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 25 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State Mechanical Engineering Report

#10 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 26 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Mechanical Engineering Report

#10

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Oakland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Oakland

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s ME degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UIC

#18 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s ME degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UM Dearborn, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Dearborn are $25,072.

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

#13

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 2 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University

#7 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 6 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Case Western Reserve University Mechanical Engineering Report

#15

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WMU is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k list, WMU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Western Michigan University Mechanical Engineering Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#16 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 doctorate’s ME degrees to qualified students.

University of Akron Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

#18

University of Dayton

Dayton, Ohio
#11 in overall quality

University of Dayton came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree me students whose families make $0-$30k list, UDayton has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Dayton are $17,780.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UDayton

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s ME students in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Illinois Tech

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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