Best Value Mechanical Engineering Colleges in Massachusetts

Harvard University offers the lowest net cost at $16,816 for Mechanical Engineering students, while MIT graduates earn $79,647 annually despite a net price of $19,813. This creates an unusual situation where two Cambridge neighbors dominate opposite ends of the value spectrum. Massachusetts public universities like UMass Lowell provide strong middle-ground options with net costs around $18,627 and starting salaries of $60,623. The state's aerospace and defense contractors, including Raytheon and General Dynamics, actively recruit from these programs, making the Bay State particularly attractive for mechanical engineers entering the workforce.

Programs

$16,816 – $43,273

Net Price Range

$69,033

Avg. Program Earnings

81.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Mechanical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts	$19,813	$79,647	$60,156	96.1%	4.0%
2	Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Needham, Massachusetts	$20,575	$78,343	$64,458	92.2%	19.1%
3	University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts	$18,627	$60,623	$16,570	70.1%	86.0%
4	University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, Massachusetts	$20,605	$62,260	$15,208	49.0%	95.5%
5	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts	$23,691	$65,594	$17,357	83.2%	63.5%
6	Boston University Boston, Massachusetts	$26,996	$68,858	$65,168	90.0%	14.4%
7	Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts	$32,116	$72,771	$63,141	90.4%	6.8%
8	Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, Massachusetts	$34,170	$66,287	$41,010	68.6%	92.3%
9	Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts	$35,435	$66,821	$67,844	93.3%	9.7%
10	Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts	$43,273	$69,123	$59,070	88.4%	57.5%
11	Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts	$16,816		$59,076	97.3%	3.2%
12	Merrimack College North Andover, Massachusetts	$37,899		$51,786	72.1%	74.6%
13	Western New England University Springfield, Massachusetts	$31,170		$46,430	63.9%	88.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes MIT worth the $19,813 net cost compared to other options?

MIT graduates earn $79,647 annually, the highest among all Massachusetts programs, with a 96.10% graduation rate. The school maintains extremely selective admissions at 3.96% acceptance, ensuring access to top-tier research opportunities and industry connections that justify the investment.

How do public universities compare to private schools for value?

UMass Amherst delivers strong returns with graduates earning $65,594 while maintaining a net cost of $23,691 and 83.20% graduation rate. Public options generally offer $15,000-20,000 lower net costs than private schools, though private institutions typically show higher graduation rates and starting salaries.

Is Franklin W Olin College worth considering despite the $20,575 net cost?

Olin graduates earn $78,343 annually, second only to MIT, with a 92.20% graduation rate. The college accepts 19.14% of applicants, making it more accessible than MIT while delivering comparable earning potential for mechanical engineering graduates.

Where do Massachusetts mechanical engineering graduates typically find employment?

The state's biotech corridor around Boston, defense contractors like Raytheon, and medical device companies actively recruit mechanical engineers. Massachusetts ranks among the top states for engineering employment, with starting salaries ranging from $60,623 to $79,647 across the 13 programs reviewed.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.