If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering-related fields degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in engineering-related fields, no school beat California State University East Bay this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $117,080. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for engineering-related fields. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Portland State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #6 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $127,541. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #7 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Oregon State University came in at #8 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $51,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific came in at #9 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $77,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Southern California ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career 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.
National University landed the #11 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of National University earn a median of $90,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gonzaga University placed #12 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Gonzaga University generally make around $58,733. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
Art Center College Of Design ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,170. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $66,860. Set against $37,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $20,144. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering-related fields education at a price that pays off.
