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2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k

64 Ranked Colleges
9,524 Degrees Awarded
$18,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking.

Mechanical Engineering is the 21st most popular major in the country with 46,178 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $69,007 and had an average of $23,944 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 9,524 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $65,486 and $24,571 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 64 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $75-$110k) in the Southeast Region

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school awarded 597 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

UF also took the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UF is $12,874 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Florida Mechanical Engineering Report

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 64 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #2 spot on the list. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,636 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Vanderbilt Mechanical Engineering Report

3
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 141 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $18,113 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Duke.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Duke

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 794 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also took the #2 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $17,557 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k 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 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%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech

5

Out of the 64 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Central Florida landed the #5 spot on the list. UCF is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 503 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Florida is $14,129 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Central Florida

6

Florida International University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 174 students in 2020-2021.

FIU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,817 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Florida International University.

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

Full FIU Mechanical Engineering Report

7

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 243 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USF Tampa, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USF Tampa is $14,349 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 3.3% 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 Mechanical Engineering at University of South Florida - Main Campus

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 109 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $15,203 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 more about Mechanical Engineering at Florida State University

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

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 402 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, NC State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $19,833 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend NC State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 North Carolina State University Mechanical Engineering Report

10
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 170 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

WVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WVU is $16,324 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at West Virginia University

11
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 466 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $23,999 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech

12
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school handed out 172 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $17,630 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UGA

13
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

With a ranking of #13, Mississippi State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Mississippi State University is a large school located in Mississippi State, Mississippi that handed out 216 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, Mississippi State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mississippi State is $20,432 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University

14
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 64 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia - Main Campus is $22,021 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Virginia

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

North Carolina A & T State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. North Carolina A & T State University is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 106 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,895 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend NC A&T.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina A & T State University

16
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Clemson University is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 385 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Clemson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson is $23,993 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. 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 more about Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University

17
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. 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 estimated yearly cost for UNF is $14,635 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 Mechanical Engineering at University of North Florida

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Alabama in Huntsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UAH is located in Huntsville, Alabama and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 150 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $19,114 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UAH.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Alabama in Huntsville

19

With a ranking of #19, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 133 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, Louisiana State University has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $23,280 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University

20
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Fayetteville, Arkansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 142 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,053 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Arkansas.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UARK

21
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 122 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida Atlantic University is $17,442 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Florida Atlantic University

22
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. UK is located in Lexington, Kentucky and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 188 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kentucky is $20,959 for southeast region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Kentucky

23

The University of West Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. UWF is located in Pensacola, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,870 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UWF.

Full The University of West Florida Mechanical Engineering Report

24

With a ranking of #24, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UofSC is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 235 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UofSC also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $22,517 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UofSC Mechanical Engineering Report

25

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UNC Charlotte is a large school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 249 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $21,011 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UNC Charlotte.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UNC Charlotte

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