If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering-related fields degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is California State University East Bay, our #1 best value for engineering-related fields in California. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in engineering-related fields will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #5 place for engineering-related fields. 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. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $19,273. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of The Pacific came in at #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $77,022. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California placed #7 among the best values for 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. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $19,250. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $73,234. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
National University came in at #8 for value in engineering-related fields this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $30,426 median debt.
Art Center College Of Design ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $54,170. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $37,250. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Art Center College Of Design earn a median of $66,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,250 median debt. Art Center College Of Design admits about 74% of applicants.
Santa Clara University earned the #10 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
