[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 133 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering-related fields students.
Finding the Best Value Engineering-Related Fields School for You
The right engineering-related fields school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in engineering-related fields, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $14,430. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $53,154. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $120,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Lakeshore Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $41,252. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University placed #7 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #8 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $17,226. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. That is a strong return on a $17,226 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Oakland University placed #9 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $112,624. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lamar University landed the #10 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #11 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $14,694. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Portland State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rice University placed #13 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $26,516. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $110,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #16 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University landed the #17 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $10,492. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $117,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $66,798. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #19 for value in engineering-related fields this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $55,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. Set against $25,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $16,625. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $72,252. Set against $16,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Wichita State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,262. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #23 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $42,873. Set against $24,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #24 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $128,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Houston ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering-related fields:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 133 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 133 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).
[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
