[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is Ohio State University Main Campus, our #1 best value for engineering-related fields in Ohio. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for engineering-related fields. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,546. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering-related fields will find it at Bowling Green State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,404 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $65,996. Set against $26,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $62,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $74,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Dayton came in at #6 for value in engineering-related fields this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 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.
