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2023 Best Value Colleges for Engineering-Related Fields (Income $0-$30k)

82 Ranked Colleges
6,736 Degrees Awarded
$6,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Engineering-Related Fields is the 112th most popular major in the country with 6,736 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, engineering-related fields graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $77,404 and had an average of $26,200 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 82 colleges that offered a degree in engineering-related fields. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent engineering-related fields programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the engineering-related fields program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

The colleges and universities below are the best for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering-related fields degrees to 196 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $1,233 for Engineering-Related Fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Stanford University Engineering-Related Fields Report

2
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #2 spot on the list. Duke University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 130 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k list, Duke has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $371 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Duke University Engineering-Related Fields Report

3
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 33 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $245 for Engineering-Related Fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at Northwestern

4
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tufts University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tufts University is located in Medford, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s engineering-related fields degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tufts, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,122 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tufts.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at Tufts

5
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 84 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue also made our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $5,995 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering-Related Fields at Purdue University - Main Campus

6
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 149 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $6,927 for Engineering-Related Fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering-Related Fields at Michigan State University

7
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

With a ranking of #7, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering-related fields degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Johns Hopkins University is $2,084 for Engineering-Related Fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Johns Hopkins Engineering-Related Fields Report

8

Florida International University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 124 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $3,196 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at Florida International University

9

California State University - Northridge ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 89 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN also made our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend CSUN is $6,266 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUN Engineering-Related Fields Report

10

Iowa State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 118 ’s engineering-related fields degrees to qualified students.

Iowa State also made our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $9,766 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa State Engineering-Related Fields Report

11

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering-related fields degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,026 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at IUPUI

12

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Arizona State University - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s engineering-related fields degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $8,969 for Engineering-Related Fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Engineering-Related Fields at ASU - Tempe

13

With a ranking of #13, Missouri University of Science and Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is located in Rolla, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 284 ’s engineering-related fields degrees to qualified students.

Missouri University of Science and Technology also made our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology is $7,356 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Engineering-Related Fields at Missouri University of Science and Technology

14

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering-related fields students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full UIUC Engineering-Related Fields Report

15

Michigan Technological University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan Tech is a medium-sized school located in Houghton, Michigan that handed out 17 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,520 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Michigan Technological University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at Michigan Tech

16
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

With a ranking of #16, Clemson University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, this large public school awarded 76 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering-related fields students in 2020-2021.

Clemson also made our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $13,744 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Clemson.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering-Related Fields at Clemson University

17

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 30 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,176 for Engineering-Related Fields students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USF Tampa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at USF Tampa

18
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pullman, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering-related fields degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wazzu is $7,689 for Engineering-Related Fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at Washington State University

19

Purdue University Northwest did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Purdue Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Hammond, Indiana. It awarded 54 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue Northwest is $6,775 for Engineering-Related Fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at Purdue University Northwest

20

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Chattanooga is a fairly large public school situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It awarded 68 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,625 for Engineering-Related Fields students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Chattanooga.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga

21

University of Wisconsin - Stout ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Stout is a medium-sized public school situated in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It awarded 49 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Stout, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout is $10,074 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at UW - Stout

22
Maritime crest
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Maritime Academy came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public institution located in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Maritime is $6,379 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Massachusetts Maritime Academy Engineering-Related Fields Report

23

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering-related fields degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $1,887 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering-Related Fields at Cal State LA

24

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UM Dearborn is a medium-sized public school situated in Dearborn, Michigan. It awarded 50 ’s engineering-related fields degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UM Dearborn is $9,113 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering-Related Fields at University of Michigan - Dearborn

25
GWU crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

George Washington University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s engineering-related fields degrees to 147 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GWU, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Engineering-Related Fields Schools” ranking. It costs about $17,673 for engineering-related fields students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GWU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full George Washington University Engineering-Related Fields Report

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