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Cheapest Manufacturing Engineering Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Navajo Technical University stands out with the nation's most affordable Manufacturing Engineering program at just $3,307 net cost annually, nearly half the price of the second-lowest option. This dramatic cost advantage reflects the institution's mission to serve Native American communities while providing technical education in a field where the median salary reaches $65,000 nationally. California dominates the affordable manufacturing education space with four programs under $12,000, supporting the state's position as home to 12% of all U.S. manufacturing jobs. The $13,131 gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs on this list demonstrates how geographic location and institutional type significantly impact educational costs. Public universities claim 14 of the 15 spots, with Brigham Young University as the sole private institution making the cut at $14,487 net cost.
39
Programs
$3,307 – $46,274
Net Price Range
$67,653
Avg. Program Earnings
62.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

39 Manufacturing Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,307 $4,250 19.7%
2 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
3 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
4 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
5 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
6 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
7 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
8 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
9 $12,621 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
10 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
11 $13,776 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
12 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
13 $14,485 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
14 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
15 $14,553 $9,755 40.7% 89.7%
16 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
17 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
18 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
19 $16,334 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
20 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
21 $16,531 $5,905 52.1% 88.9%
22 $16,544 $7,824 25.6% 88.8%
23 $17,096 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
24 $17,365 $10,142 52.5% 86.3%
25 $17,722 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
26 $18,680 $9,286 65.5% 92.7%
27 $18,701 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
28 $19,568 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
29 $22,150 $11,900 73.7% 80.1%
30 $23,572 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
31 $25,747 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
32 $27,023 $25,659 62.7% 98.0%
33 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
34 $27,662 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
35 $31,058 $13,320 50.0%
36 $31,663 $62,692 83.2% 18.4%
37 $43,273 $59,070 88.4% 57.5%
38 $45,450 $40,595 70.5% 81.7%
39 $46,274 $56,360 83.8% 52.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Navajo Technical University's program so affordable compared to other schools?

Navajo Technical University offers the lowest net cost at $3,307, which is $3,193 less than the second-cheapest option at UT Rio Grande Valley. The school serves primarily Native American students and receives federal funding that helps subsidize education costs. However, the 19.70% graduation rate suggests students should carefully consider support systems and program completion requirements before enrolling.

How do California schools compare in terms of cost and outcomes?

Four California schools make this affordable list, with net costs ranging from $7,599 at CSU Northridge to $11,580 at Cal Poly Pomona. Cal Poly Pomona graduates earn the highest salaries at $69,338 annually, justifying its slightly higher cost. CSU Long Beach achieves a strong 69.90% graduation rate with moderate costs, while Northridge offers the lowest net price among California options at $7,599.

Is there a significant difference between in-state and net costs for these programs?

The gap varies dramatically by institution, with some schools showing minimal differences while others display substantial variations. Brigham Young University shows the largest gap with $6,496 in-state tuition versus $14,487 net cost. California schools tend to have relatively small differences, while out-of-state students may face significantly higher actual costs than the net prices listed.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Manufacturing Engineering?

The data shows no clear correlation between cost and graduation rates among these affordable programs. Brigham Young University achieves the highest graduation rate at 82.20% despite being the most expensive option at $14,487. Meanwhile, CSU Long Beach delivers a solid 69.90% graduation rate at just $8,931 net cost, proving that affordable programs can still maintain strong completion rates.

Where can students find the best value considering both cost and earning potential?

Cal Poly Pomona offers the best documented earning potential at $69,338 annually for a net cost of $11,580, representing strong return on investment. Ferris State University provides solid earnings at $66,941 with a lower net cost of $12,202. Students should also consider that many schools on this list lack published earnings data, making direct comparisons challenging for informed decision-making.

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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.