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Cheapest Mechanical Engineering Colleges in Arkansas

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

Arkansas Tech University offers the state's most affordable Mechanical Engineering program at just $12,171 net cost, nearly $9,000 less than the next cheapest option. The 94% acceptance rate provides easy access to a field important for Arkansas's manufacturing sector, where companies like Tyson Foods rely on mechanical engineers to optimize food processing operations. While earnings range from $54,974 to $59,124 across programs, the low cost of living in Arkansas makes these salaries particularly valuable for new graduates.
6
Programs
$12,171 – $21,144
Net Price Range
$57,892
Avg. Program Earnings
58.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Mechanical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $12,171 $8,508 48.7% 94.4%
2 $13,085 $7,754 55.1% 69.5%
3 $16,136 $8,455 41.4% 61.5%
4 $17,525 $9,748 70.0% 78.9%
5 $20,579 $24,888 70.9% 45.1%
6 $21,144 $30,832 66.8% 56.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Arkansas Tech University so much cheaper than other options?

Arkansas Tech's $12,171 net cost benefits from strong state funding and lower operational expenses in Russellville. The in-state tuition of just $8,508 combined with generous financial aid keeps total costs well below the state average of $16,820 across all six programs.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Arkansas Tech graduates 48.7% of students despite being the cheapest option, while Harding University achieves a 70.9% graduation rate at $20,579 net cost. The University of Arkansas balances both factors well with a 70% graduation rate at $17,525 net cost.

Does the low cost of living in Arkansas affect engineering salaries?

Arkansas engineering graduates earn $54,974 to $59,124 annually, which translates to higher purchasing power due to housing costs 15-20% below national averages. Major employers like Walmart's logistics division and Tyson's manufacturing plants actively recruit local mechanical engineering graduates.

More Mechanical Engineering Rankings

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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.