[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.
College Factual analyzed 28 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.
Florida International University earned the #1 spot for value among engineering-related fields schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $120,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $21,829. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Morehead State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $22,580 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $62,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Christian Brothers University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $32,416. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $23,846. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $88,255. Set against $23,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $42,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $23,399. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #9 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,576 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $67,431 early in their careers. Set against $19,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of New Orleans ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $23,048. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Kennesaw State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,004. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $53,824 early in their careers. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,500. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $60,284 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
West Virginia University came in at #14 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #15 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,747. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #16 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $22,113. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $111,299. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Arkansas placed #18 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,019. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $96,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #19 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #20 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $24,305 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $52,909 early in their careers. Set against $24,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University landed the #21 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $68,904. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Mercer University came in at #22 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,565. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $56,699 early in their careers. Set against $32,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Auburn University came in at #23 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #24 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $56,513. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University came in at #25 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,414. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering-related fields this year:
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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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
