[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering-related fields education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 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.
Leading the list is University Of Massachusetts Lowell, our #1 best value for engineering-related fields in Massachusetts. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $105,490. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering-related fields will find it at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which ranked #3. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay. Students from in state pay about $11,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,722 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,884. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $105,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,195. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $101,532. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Western New England University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. 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. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,520. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $64,056. That is a strong return on a $25,520 median debt. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.
Tufts University landed the #6 spot for engineering-related fields value 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. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $123,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #7 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $91,834. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
More Engineering-Related Fields Rankings
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
