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2023 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income Over $110k) in the Southeast Region

63 Ranked Colleges
9,524 Degrees Awarded
$19,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

For this year’s “Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, we looked at 63 colleges that offer 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k.

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

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 63 schools in the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 597 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k list, UF has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $5,135 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UF Mechanical Engineering Report

2

Out of the 63 schools in the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school awarded 794 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also took the #2 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $14,974 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Institute of Technology - Main Campus

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Central Florida. The school came in at #3 for the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school awarded 503 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

UCF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Florida is $8,618 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UCF Mechanical Engineering Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 243 diplomas to qualified ’s ME 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. It costs about $8,346 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, 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 92%.

Full USF Tampa Mechanical Engineering Report

5
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Out of the 63 schools in the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 109 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $9,946 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida State Mechanical Engineering Report

6

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 174 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $5,298 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Mechanical Engineering at Florida International University

7
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #7. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 402 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

NC State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $16,411 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at NC State

8
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Mississippi State, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 216 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k list, Mississippi State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,122 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Mississippi State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Mississippi State Mechanical Engineering Report

9
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #9. West Virginia University is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 170 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k list, WVU has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Virginia University is $13,355 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

Full WVU Mechanical Engineering Report

10
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 172 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also took the #21 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $14,257 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UGA

11
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

With a ranking of #11, Clemson University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Clemson, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 385 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Clemson University is $21,262 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Clemson University

12
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 466 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $21,301 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 Virginia Tech

13
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. North Carolina A & T State University is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 106 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,563 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend NC A&T.

Full NC A&T Mechanical Engineering Report

14

With a ranking of #14, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this large public school awarded 133 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University is $17,811 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University

15
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #15. 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.

The estimated yearly cost for UARK is $16,507 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Arkansas

16

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #16 on this year’s Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 190 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Knoxville is $18,579 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Mechanical Engineering Report

17
GaSou crest
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia

Georgia Southern University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Georgia Southern University is located in Statesboro, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 200 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,571 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Georgia Southern University.

Full Georgia Southern University Mechanical Engineering Report

18

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 235 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $20,559 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of South Carolina - Columbia Mechanical Engineering Report

19

University of Alabama in Huntsville came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of Alabama in Huntsville is a medium-sized public school situated in Huntsville, Alabama. It awarded 150 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,208 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Alabama in Huntsville.

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 full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Alabama in Huntsville

20
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. University of North Florida is a fairly large public school situated in Jacksonville, Florida. It awarded 82 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Florida is $8,865 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UNF

21

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 249 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k list, UNC Charlotte has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $17,634 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UNC Charlotte.

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 4.4% 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%.

Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Mechanical Engineering Report

22
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The University of Alabama ranked #22 on this year’s Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UA is a public institution located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 378 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UA also took the #11 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Alabama is $20,917 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, 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%.

Full The University of Alabama Mechanical Engineering Report

23
ATU crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, Arkansas

Arkansas Tech University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Arkansas Tech University is a public institution located in Russellville, Arkansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,721 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend ATU.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Arkansas Tech University

24
Louisiana Tech crest
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, Louisiana

Louisiana Tech University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #24. Louisiana Tech is a fairly large public school situated in Ruston, Louisiana. It awarded 73 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana Tech University is $11,304 for Southeast Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana Tech

25

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #25. The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is a fairly large school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 65 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is $14,040 for southeast region me students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

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