Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Mechanical Engineering

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

141 Ranked Colleges
1,700 Degrees Awarded
$42,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate 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 has developed its “Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,700 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 141 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality mechanical engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

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

More Ways to Rank Mechanical Engineering Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 57 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at MIT are $56,719.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 57 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s ME students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree me students whose families make $48-$75k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Full Stanford Mechanical Engineering Report

#3

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Princeton University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also took the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Princeton

#4

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #5 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University

#5

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 18 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Duke

#6

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#15 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s ME students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624.

Full Vanderbilt University Mechanical Engineering Report

#7

Rice University

Houston, Texas
Top 25% in overall quality

Rice University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s ME students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Rice Mechanical Engineering Report

#8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#6 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Johns Hopkins University Mechanical Engineering Report

#9

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#7 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cornell University is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 20 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell University Mechanical Engineering Report

#10

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#10 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s ME degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Caltech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Caltech

#11

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WUSTL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 4 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis

#14 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s ME degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbia Mechanical Engineering Report

#13

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Notre Dame

#14

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#12 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 55 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U-M Mechanical Engineering Report

#15

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s ME students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree me students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCLA has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

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

#16

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#21 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Mechanical Engineering Report

#17

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 43 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Berkeley Mechanical Engineering Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 doctorate’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 doctorate’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree me students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Mechanical Engineering Report

#20

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s ME students in 2019-2020.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UPenn Mechanical Engineering Report

Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 51 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIUC Mechanical Engineering Report

#22

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. University of Florida is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Florida

#13 in overall quality

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Georgia Tech is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 44 doctorate’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree me students whose families make $48-$75k list, Georgia Tech has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia Tech are $31,334, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Georgia Tech Mechanical Engineering Report

Michigan Technological University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 doctorate’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan Technological University are $21,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s ME degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also took the #18 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UT Austin

Switch to a Similar Major

General Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for General Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Agricultural Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Agricultural Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Biomedical Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Biomedical Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Chemical Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Chemical Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Computer Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Computer Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Engineering Mechanics
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Engineering Mechanics (Income $48-$75k)

Engineering Science
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Engineering Science (Income $48-$75k)

Materials Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Materials Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Mining Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Mining Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Nuclear Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Nuclear Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Petroleum Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Petroleum Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Textile Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Textile Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Industrial Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Industrial Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Operations Research
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Operations Research (Income $48-$75k)

Geoscience Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Geoscience Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Electromechanical Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Electromechanical Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Biological Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Biological Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Other Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Other Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Architectural Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Architectural Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Ceramic Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Ceramic Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Civil Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Civil Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Electrical Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Electrical Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Engineering Physics
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Engineering Physics (Income $48-$75k)

Environmental Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Environmental Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Metallurgical Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Metallurgical Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Marine Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Marine Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Ocean Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Ocean Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Systems Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Systems Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Polymer & Plastics Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Polymer & Plastics Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Manufacturing Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Manufacturing Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Surveying Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Surveying Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Paper Science & Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Paper Science & Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Robotics Engineering
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Robotics Engineering (Income $48-$75k)

Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Electrical and Computer Engineering. (Income $48-$75k)

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.

Credits

Featured Engineering Schools

Find Schools Near You