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2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

36 Ranked Colleges
1,512 Degrees Awarded
$26,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value ME Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 8,300 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $68,192 and $24,168 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,512 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 36 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to 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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree me students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#1

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Purdue

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 70 degrees to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

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

Full UIUC Mechanical Engineering Report

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 57 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UW - Madison

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 150 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #1 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at U-M

#5

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University Northwest. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Purdue University Northwest is a public institution located in Hammond, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Northwest are $11,633.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University Northwest

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 77 students in 2019-2020.

UM Dearborn also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at UM Dearborn are $25,072, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan - Dearborn

Michigan Technological University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan Technological University is a medium-sized public school situated in Houghton, Michigan. It awarded 121 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan Technological University are $21,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Mechanical Engineering Report

#9

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 64 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Oakland University

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. IUPUI is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 80 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#11

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 70 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University

With a ranking of #12, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 73 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree me students with aid list, Ohio State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Mechanical Engineering Report

#13

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Michigan State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State

University of Michigan - Flint landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 6 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Flint are $18,202.

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

#15

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NIU Mechanical Engineering Report

#16

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Youngstown State University is a fairly large school located in Youngstown, Ohio that handed out 10 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Youngstown State University are $9,495, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Youngstown State University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. SIUE is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree me students with aid list, SIUE has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at SIUE

#18

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 40 degrees to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s ME students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at SIUC

#20

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 34 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at WMU

#21

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
#25 in overall quality

University of Toledo came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Toledo is a fairly large school located in Toledo, Ohio that handed out 18 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Toledo, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Toledo are $27,067, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Toledo Mechanical Engineering Report

Wright State University - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 19 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Wright State University - Main Campus

#23

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s ME degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Cleveland State University

#24 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s ME degrees to qualified students.

University of Akron Main Campus also took the #24 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value ME Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 95 masters’s ME degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC 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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