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2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

26 Ranked Colleges
760 Degrees Awarded
$23,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value ME Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Mechanical Engineering is the 20th most popular major in the country with 47,598 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 Southwest region, there were 5,649 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $61,691 and $21,487 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 760 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 26 colleges that offered a degree in mechanical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality 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 mechanical engineering program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rice University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rice is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Rice also took the #1 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Rice

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #2 spot on the list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 90 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Mechanical Engineering Report

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at OSU are $23,963, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at OSU

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Tempe. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 133 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at ASU - Tempe

#21 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Tyler came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UT Tyler is a medium-sized school located in Tyler, Texas that handed out 10 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Tyler are $16,308, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Tyler

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UH is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UH also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Houston

University of North Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. UNT is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 8 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree me students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNT has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNT Mechanical Engineering Report

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 44 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin

#10

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#10 in overall quality

Texas Tech University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree me students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. UTSA is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UTSA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at San Antonio Mechanical Engineering Report

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

UTEP also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UTEP

#13

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

University of Arizona ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 11 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Arizona

#12 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public institution located in Richardson, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also took the #12 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas

#19 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also took the #19 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Mechanical Engineering Report

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is located in Socorro, New Mexico and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

New Mexico Tech also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology are $25,602, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full New Mexico Tech Mechanical Engineering Report

With a ranking of #17, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Texas at Arlington is located in Arlington, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 86 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree me students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Arlington has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Arlington are $23,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Arlington Mechanical Engineering Report

#22 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Kingsville ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M University - Kingsville is a medium-sized school located in Kingsville, Texas that handed out 20 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Kingsville also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Kingsville are $14,066, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M Kingsville

#19

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#20 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at NAU

#20

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Mexico - Main Campus are $19,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNM Mechanical Engineering Report

#11 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

University of Central Oklahoma landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, and it awarded 2 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UCO did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCO are $17,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Central Oklahoma

#23

University of Tulsa

Tulsa, Oklahoma
#7 in overall quality

University of Tulsa landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Tulsa is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

University of Tulsa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Tulsa are $24,080.

Full University of Tulsa Mechanical Engineering Report

#5 in overall quality

Southern Methodist University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree me students whose families make $30-$48k list, SMU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Methodist University are $47,478, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at SMU

#25

LeTourneau University

Longview, Texas

LeTourneau University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Longview, Texas, and it awarded 1 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

LETU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at LeTourneau University are $18,630.

Full LeTourneau University Mechanical Engineering Report

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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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