Cheapest Mechanical Engineering Colleges in Texas

Rice University stands as the sole private option among Texas mechanical engineering programs, charging $12,640 net price while public alternatives start at just $6,500 at UT Rio Grande Valley. This $6,140 cost difference highlights how Texas public universities dominate affordable mechanical engineering education, with 14 of 15 schools offering sub-$15,000 net prices. Earnings potential varies significantly across programs, ranging from $52,107 to $73,446, with Lamar University graduates commanding the highest salaries despite moderate program costs. Texas mechanical engineers find strong job prospects in the state's energy sector, particularly in oil refining and petrochemicals where companies like ExxonMobil and Valero maintain major operations. The state's manufacturing base, including aerospace firms like Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter, creates additional demand for mechanical engineering talent. Public university graduates typically carry debt loads between $14,000-$31,000, making Texas mechanical engineering programs financially accessible compared to national averages.

Programs

$6,500 – $41,942

Net Price Range

$64,486

Avg. Program Earnings

58.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

28 Mechanical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, Texas	$6,500	$9,859	49.3%	87.7%
2	The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, Texas	$9,144	$10,904	43.0%	94.7%
3	Texas A & M University-Kingsville Kingsville, Texas	$10,204	$9,892	45.6%	96.6%
4	The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas	$10,726	$9,744	45.9%	99.9%
5	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	$11,056	$7,746	50.9%	69.4%
6	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	$11,234	$8,991	51.2%	86.9%
7	Lamar University Beaumont, Texas	$11,429	$8,690	37.2%	83.7%
8	Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, Texas	$11,882	$10,310	41.3%	92.4%
9	Texas A&M University-Texarkana Texarkana, Texas	$12,637	$7,930	31.2%	91.5%
10	Rice University Houston, Texas	$12,640	$58,128	95.7%	8.7%
11	Angelo State University San Angelo, Texas	$12,915	$8,319	40.7%	79.1%
12	University of Houston Houston, Texas	$13,853	$9,711	64.9%	66.2%
13	The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, Texas	$13,931	$9,920	46.8%	93.9%
14	Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, Texas	$14,041	$11,299	43.2%	76.1%
15	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	$14,352	$11,164	59.6%	79.1%
16	Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, Texas	$15,137	$9,748	33.7%	88.0%
17	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas	$15,235	$11,728	56.5%	80.8%
18	The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas	$17,435	$14,564	70.8%	84.7%
19	University of St Thomas Houston, Texas	$18,762	$33,660	68.6%	96.7%
20	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	$19,678	$11,678	87.6%	31.4%
21	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	$20,071	$11,852	67.5%	67.3%
22	Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas	$20,261	$7,878	51.2%	87.1%
23	West Texas A & M University Canyon, Texas	$20,841	$9,101	47.3%	91.6%
24	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
25	LeTourneau University Longview, Texas	$25,314	$35,500	61.1%	48.8%
26	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas	$33,531	$57,220	85.6%	56.1%
27	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	$41,778	$64,460	83.3%	52.3%
28	Baylor University Waco, Texas	$41,942	$54,844	80.2%	45.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UT Permian Basin's mechanical engineering program notable for the cost?

UT Permian Basin graduates earn $69,732 annually while paying just $9,144 net price, creating one of the strongest return-on-investment ratios among Texas programs. The school maintains a 94.71% acceptance rate and keeps student debt at $14,253, well below the state average. Its location in Odessa connects students directly to the Permian Basin oil industry, where mechanical engineers design and maintain extraction equipment.

How do graduation rates compare across the most affordable programs?

Graduation rates vary significantly among low-cost options, from 31.20% at Texas A&M-Texarkana to 51.20% at UT San Antonio. UT Rio Grande Valley, the cheapest option at $6,500 net price, maintains a 49.30% graduation rate. Most affordable programs fall between 40-50% graduation rates, reflecting the challenge of balancing low costs with academic support systems.

Does Rice University justify its higher costs compared to public options?

Rice University's 95.70% graduation rate far exceeds public alternatives, though its $12,640 net price represents only a modest premium over mid-tier public programs. Rice graduates earn $68,219 annually with just $15,375 in debt, similar to top public programs. The 8.68% acceptance rate makes Rice highly selective, while public programs typically accept 80-99% of applicants.

What explains the wide earnings range among Texas mechanical engineering programs?

Earnings span from $52,107 at UT Rio Grande Valley to $73,446 at Lamar University, reflecting regional industry differences and program specializations. Schools near major industrial centers like Houston and Beaumont typically produce higher-earning graduates due to energy sector opportunities. Geographic location often matters more than program cost, as proximity to refineries, aerospace facilities, and manufacturing plants influences starting salaries.

Where do the most cost-effective programs create the best value?

UT Permian Basin offers strong value with $69,732 graduate earnings against $9,144 costs, while Lamar University produces the highest-earning graduates at $73,446 for $11,429 net price. UT El Paso provides solid value with $58,943 earnings for $10,726 costs and maintains nearly open admission. These programs leverage their regional industry connections to place graduates in well-paying positions despite moderate tuition costs.

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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.