Cheapest Mechanical Engineering Colleges in Illinois

Western Illinois University offers the state's most affordable mechanical engineering education at just $11,592 net cost, while Northwestern commands $27,143 despite both preparing graduates for Illinois' $180 billion manufacturing sector. The price gap between public and private options spans over $15,000 annually, yet earnings potential varies by only $13,578 across all programs. Chicago hosts three engineering schools serving the metro area's aerospace and automotive industries, including Boeing's design centers and Caterpillar's research facilities. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville accepts 97.5% of applicants, making quality mechanical engineering education accessible to nearly all qualified students.

Programs

$11,592 – $27,143

Net Price Range

$65,363

Avg. Program Earnings

64.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Mechanical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Western Illinois University Macomb, Illinois	$11,592	$14,952	44.8%	75.0%
2	University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, Illinois	$12,313	$14,338	60.3%	78.7%
3	Northern Illinois University Dekalb, Illinois	$12,909	$12,700	49.6%	70.7%
4	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, Illinois	$13,696	$12,922	55.0%	97.5%
5	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, Illinois	$15,201	$16,004	84.9%	44.8%
6	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois	$16,177	$13,244	56.3%	91.5%
7	North Park University Chicago, Illinois	$18,191	$35,325	56.0%	68.0%
8	Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, Illinois	$19,353	$51,763	72.4%	61.4%
9	Bradley University Peoria, Illinois	$23,572	$39,680	72.1%	75.1%
10	Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois	$27,143	$65,997	95.9%	7.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Northwestern's $27,143 net cost worth considering despite being the most expensive?

Northwestern graduates earn $73,112 annually, the highest among Illinois mechanical engineering programs, and maintain a 95.9% graduation rate. The school also reports the lowest average debt at $13,942, suggesting strong financial aid packages offset the high sticker price.

How do public university costs compare for mechanical engineering in Illinois?

Public programs range from Western Illinois at $11,592 to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at $15,201 net cost. Even the most expensive public option costs $12,000 less than the cheapest private program at North Park University.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Illinois mechanical engineering?

Not necessarily - Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville costs just $13,696 but maintains a 55% graduation rate, while Illinois Institute of Technology at $19,353 achieves 72.4%. The highest graduation rate belongs to Northwestern at 95.9% despite being the most expensive.

Where can students find the best value for mechanical engineering education?

University of Illinois Chicago offers strong value at $12,313 net cost with $63,005 graduate earnings and a 60.3% graduation rate. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides the best public option balance of cost, earnings, and outcomes at $15,201.

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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.