[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering-related fields students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering-related fields degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Oakland University the best value for a degree in engineering-related fields in Michigan. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $112,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering-related fields will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #2. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $110,914 early in their careers. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #3 place for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. 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. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,875. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $68,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Western Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $67,992. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #6 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,122 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $84,244. That is a strong return on a $31,122 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Central Michigan University earned the #7 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $104,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #8 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,756 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $76,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kettering University landed the #9 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,425 in tuition and fees. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $28,913 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $87,338. That is a strong return on a $28,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
