[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 113 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.
California State University Los Angeles tops our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools in the United States. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University East Bay earned it the #2 place for engineering-related fields. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $16,202. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #5 place for engineering-related fields. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $21,620. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $120,323. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #6 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #7 among the best values for engineering-related fields. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $17,226 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Oakland University earned the #8 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,972. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $112,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lamar University landed the #9 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #10 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Portland State University came in at #11 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #13 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $110,914. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #14 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #15 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $21,829. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #16 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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 $133,371. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Purdue University Northwest placed #17 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,083. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $66,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #19 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. 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. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Wichita State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $128,271. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. 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. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University placed #24 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $32,416. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #25 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering-related fields value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Engineering-Related Fields rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 113 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 113 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.
