Best Value Mechanical Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's mechanical engineering programs reveal a striking 26-point gap between top and bottom graduation rates, with University of Pennsylvania leading at 96.80% while Wilkes University graduates 60.30% of students. The earnings spread tells an equally compelling story, ranging from $53,219 to $80,858 annually. This variation becomes more meaningful when considering Pennsylvania's massive healthcare infrastructure, where companies like UPMC employ thousands of engineers designing medical devices and facility systems. The state's pharmaceutical giants, including GSK and Merck facilities, also create steady demand for process engineers. Net costs span from University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown's accessible $18,952 to Villanova's premium $44,876, yet even the most expensive programs can justify their price tags through career outcomes. Carnegie Mellon graduates command $75,921 starting salaries despite the program's $31,671 net cost. Meanwhile, public options like Temple University deliver solid $61,119 earnings at just $29,219 net cost, proving that Pennsylvania offers mechanical engineering pathways for various financial situations.

Programs

$18,952 – $44,876

Net Price Range

$65,911

Avg. Program Earnings

73.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Mechanical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, Pennsylvania	$18,952	$66,728	$14,646	53.4%	97.4%
2	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$31,229	$80,858	$66,104	96.8%	6.5%
3	Gannon University Erie, Pennsylvania	$23,206	$58,673	$37,951	69.5%	80.9%
4	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$31,671	$75,921	$63,829	92.5%	11.3%
5	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$30,074	$66,728	$21,524	84.3%	49.1%
6	Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$29,219	$61,119	$22,082	74.7%	79.7%
7	Lehigh University Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	$33,549	$69,710	$62,180	89.2%	37.0%
8	Widener University Chester, Pennsylvania	$30,470	$63,275	$53,638	63.5%	87.7%
9	Lafayette College Easton, Pennsylvania	$32,496	$65,486	$62,574	88.1%	33.6%
10	Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania	$27,700	$53,219	$42,286	60.3%	94.1%
11	Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$28,163	$53,358	$45,683	68.2%	88.9%
12	Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$38,428	$67,101	$60,663	77.1%	79.6%
13	Bucknell University Lewisburg, Pennsylvania	$40,429	$69,002	$64,772	86.2%	32.6%
14	Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania	$44,876	$71,575	$64,701	92.4%	23.4%
15	York College of Pennsylvania York, Pennsylvania	$19,685		$24,606	59.7%	95.6%
16	Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania	$19,524		$10,507	65.9%	74.3%
17	Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, Pennsylvania	$23,553		$13,544	51.6%	87.8%
18	University of Scranton Scranton, Pennsylvania	$30,528		$52,309	80.8%	84.4%
19	Saint Francis University Loretto, Pennsylvania	$19,173		$41,720	72.8%	73.1%
20	Point Park University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$24,791		$38,160	59.6%	82.1%
21	Messiah University Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania	$27,686		$40,640	78.5%	79.4%
22	King's College Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania	$23,281		$42,600	60.1%	96.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown such strong value for mechanical engineering?

UPJ delivers the lowest net cost at $18,952 while producing graduates earning $66,728 annually. The 97.41% acceptance rate makes admission accessible, though the 53.40% graduation rate requires serious commitment. Students benefit from University of Pittsburgh's engineering reputation at a fraction of the main campus cost.

How do Pennsylvania's public universities compare in mechanical engineering value?

Public programs range from UPJ's bargain $18,952 net cost to Pitt main campus at $30,074. Temple University sits in the middle at $29,219 with solid $61,119 graduate earnings. The PA State Grant significantly reduces costs for residents, making public options particularly attractive for in-state students.

Is the University of Pennsylvania worth its $31,229 net cost for mechanical engineering?

UPenn delivers the highest graduate earnings at $80,858 with an strong 96.80% graduation rate. The extremely low debt load of $12,910 reflects strong financial aid despite the Ivy League price tag. Only 6.50% of applicants gain admission, making it highly selective but potentially rewarding.

Does Carnegie Mellon justify its cost compared to other Pennsylvania engineering schools?

Carnegie Mellon's $31,671 net cost produces $75,921 graduate earnings, ranking second in the state for salary outcomes. The 92.50% graduation rate and world-well-known engineering reputation support the investment. However, several Pennsylvania schools offer comparable value with lower upfront costs.

Where do Pennsylvania mechanical engineering graduates typically find employment?

UPMC's vast healthcare network employs engineers for medical device development and facility management across the state. Major pharmaceutical operations from companies like GSK provide process engineering opportunities. The state's growing tech sector, anchored by companies like Comcast, also creates demand for mechanical engineers in product development roles.

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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.