
[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering-related fields students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering-related fields, balancing cost against outcomes.
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among engineering-related fields schools in the New England Region. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $105,490. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $101,532. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Bridgeport came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bridgeport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $28,601. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $56,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering-related fields will find it at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,420, compared with $23,722 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,884 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Massachusetts Maritime Academy generally make around $105,014. Set against $25,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Western New England University landed the #6 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,820 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,520 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $64,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of New Haven landed the #7 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $26,244. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $49,615. Set against $26,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University came in at #8 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $123,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #9 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $60,765 in tuition and fees. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $91,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.