Cheapest Mechanical Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's mechanical engineering programs reveal striking cost differences, with University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown offering the lowest net price at $18,952 while some private institutions exceed $30,000. The state's 15 programs range from highly selective University of Pittsburgh's main campus with a 49% acceptance rate to nearly open-admission options like University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown at 97%. Pennsylvania's industrial heritage continues through companies like UPMC's medical device manufacturing and Comcast's technology infrastructure, creating strong demand for mechanical engineers across healthcare technology, telecommunications equipment, and energy systems. Public universities generally provide the best value, with in-state tuition at Slippery Rock University starting at just $10,507. However, private institutions like Saint Francis University and Messiah University achieve graduation rates above 70%, compared to some public programs struggling to graduate even half their students.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $11,000 gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public universities dominate the affordable end, with University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown at $18,952 and Slippery Rock at $19,524. Private institutions like University of Scranton cost $30,528 despite offering similar career outcomes. The PA State Grant helps bridge this gap for qualifying in-state students. Public programs benefit from state funding that keeps net prices lower across the board.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs?

Higher-cost private programs tend to achieve better graduation rates, with Messiah University at 78.5% and University of Scranton at 80.8%. However, University of Pittsburgh's main campus breaks this pattern with an 84.3% graduation rate at moderate cost. Several affordable public options like Shippensburg struggle with graduation rates below 52%. The correlation suggests additional student support services at pricier institutions.

Is University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown a good value despite its lower graduation rate?

Despite a 53.4% graduation rate, UPitt-Johnstown graduates earn $66,728 annually, matching the main Pittsburgh campus. The $18,952 net cost represents strong value for students who complete the program. Student debt averages $25,190, reasonable given the strong earning potential. The 97% acceptance rate provides access for students who might not qualify elsewhere.

Does attending a more expensive private program improve earning potential?

Not necessarily in Pennsylvania's mechanical engineering market. Wilkes University graduates earn $53,219 despite a $27,700 net cost, while Temple University graduates earn $61,119 at just $29,219. University of Pittsburgh graduates achieve the highest earnings at $66,728 with moderate costs. The data suggests employer focus on skills over institutional prestige in this field.

Where do most mechanical engineering graduates find employment in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania's diversified economy offers positions across healthcare technology with UPMC, telecommunications equipment at Comcast, and traditional manufacturing throughout the state. The pharmaceutical industry around Philadelphia employs engineers for process design and automation. Energy companies across Pennsylvania hire mechanical engineers for both traditional and renewable energy projects. Average starting salaries range from $53,219 to $66,728 depending on the program and location.

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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.