[Other Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/engineering-related-fields-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for other engineering-related fields students.
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Where you study other engineering-related fields affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Other Engineering-Related Fields Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other engineering-related fields degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in other engineering-related fields, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in other engineering-related fields will find it at Oregon State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other engineering-related fields will find it at Clemson University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, other engineering-related fields degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $68,904. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carnegie Mellon University earned it the #4 place for other engineering-related fields. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career other engineering-related fields graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern California earned it the #5 place for other engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career other engineering-related fields graduates make about $73,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Lawrence Technological University placed #6 among the best values for other engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,799 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Haven landed the #7 spot for other engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,332. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,244 in student loans. Early-career other engineering-related fields graduates make about $49,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Southern Methodist University came in at #8 for value in other engineering-related fields this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical student debt for other engineering-related fields graduates is $20,712. Other Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $111,319 early in their careers. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Art Center College Of Design came in at #9 for value in other engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,170. Typical student debt for other engineering-related fields graduates is $37,250. Early-career other engineering-related fields graduates make about $66,860. That is a strong return on a $37,250 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
