
[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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering-related fields schools.
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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 Cuny City College the best value for a degree in engineering-related fields in New York. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. 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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University At Buffalo earned it the #2 place for engineering-related fields. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
A rank of #3 makes New York Institute Of Technology one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,560 in tuition and fees. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,435 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from New York Institute Of Technology generally make around $61,734. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. New York Institute Of Technology admits about 81% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in engineering-related fields will find it at Cornell University, which ranked #4. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $15,005. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $83,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #5 makes Clarkson University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,398. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Clarkson University generally make around $89,312. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University came in at #6 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $55,705. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $74,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
New York University earned the #8 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $88,045. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University placed #9 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #10 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,845. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,103. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $38,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,103 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.