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Cheapest Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians Colleges

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

Texas A&M University-Central Texas stands out dramatically in mechanical engineering technology education with a net price of just $1,113, making it nearly four times cheaper than most comparable programs. This cost advantage reflects the growing demand for skilled technicians in Texas manufacturing hubs, where aerospace giants like Lockheed Martin and energy companies require hands-on technical expertise. The state's industrial boom has created pathways for graduates earning between $31,423 and $70,176 annually. While private institutions like Brigham Young University-Idaho charge $7,131 but deliver $63,005 median earnings, public schools dominate the affordable options. North Central State College follows at $4,304, demonstrating how community colleges serve as entry points into mechanical technology careers. The 20 programs surveyed show graduation rates ranging from 19.40% at CUNY New York City College of Technology to 57.10% at Farmingdale State College, indicating significant variation in student outcomes across different institutional approaches to hands-on technical training.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $16,041
Net Price Range
$56,410
Avg. Program Earnings
49.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
2 $4,304 $4,624 34.2%
3 $4,783 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
4 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
5 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
6 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
7 $9,055 $8,454 48.3% 98.5%
8 $9,104 $8,400 53.2%
9 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
10 $10,026 $8,568 33.0%
11 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
12 $10,733 $5,118 39.6%
13 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
14 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
15 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
16 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
17 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
18 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
19 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
20 $12,529 $10,240 34.6% 97.2%
21 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
22 $12,878 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
23 $12,948 $9,401 38.0% 98.8%
24 $12,973 $9,910 32.7% 89.5%
25 $13,091 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
26 $13,302 $15,820 65.1% 85.3%
27 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
28 $13,853 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
29 $13,882 $8,578 59.2% 81.7%
30 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
31 $14,229 $8,486 36.0% 86.0%
32 $14,294 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
33 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
34 $14,488 $8,862 52.7% 81.7%
35 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
36 $14,553 $9,755 40.7% 89.7%
37 $14,559 $10,024 28.7% 68.4%
38 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
39 $14,745 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
40 $14,761 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
41 $14,773 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
42 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
43 $15,001 $8,689 44.1% 94.9%
44 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
45 $15,266 $35,822 61.7% 84.1%
46 $15,331 $9,712 41.5% 81.8%
47 $15,336 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
48 $15,729 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
49 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
50 $16,041 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A&M University-Central Texas so affordable for mechanical engineering technology students?

The university charges just $1,113 net price, benefiting from Texas state funding and local industry partnerships. Its 95.71% acceptance rate indicates broad accessibility for students seeking technical training. The school serves the Killeen area's military and manufacturing economy, where practical skills training aligns with regional employer needs.

How do graduation rates vary among the cheapest mechanical engineering technology programs?

Graduation rates span from 19.40% at CUNY New York City College of Technology to 57.10% at Farmingdale State College. Brigham Young University-Idaho achieves 55.10% despite charging $7,131, while North Carolina A&T State University reaches 55.30% at $10,980. These differences often reflect student preparation levels and institutional support systems.

Is the earning potential worth the investment in affordable mechanical engineering technology programs?

Graduates from Brigham Young University-Idaho earn $63,005 median income with $16,813 debt, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. Weber State University delivers $61,728 earnings at $10,722 net cost with only $12,250 debt. Even lower-cost programs like those under $5,000 can lead to solid middle-class incomes in the $50,000+ range.

Does attending a public versus private school affect costs significantly in this field?

Public schools dominate the affordable options, with 13 of the 15 cheapest programs being state institutions. Texas A&M-Central Texas at $1,113 and North Central State at $4,304 exemplify public affordability. The lone private option, American Public University System at $9,104, costs more than twice most public alternatives while serving working adults.

Where do the most affordable programs cluster geographically?

Texas leads with multiple affordable options including Texas A&M-Central Texas at $1,113. Utah provides strong value through Utah Valley University at $8,463 and Weber State at $10,722, both offering competitive earnings potential. Ohio, North Carolina, and New York also appear prominently, reflecting these states' manufacturing bases and community college systems.

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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.