2026 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Technology Schools
For return on investment in engineering technology, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $11,306. Engineering Technology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #4 place for engineering technology. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $9,191. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Chabot College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Bellingham Technical College came in at #7 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,431, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,748.
Western Nevada College came in at #8 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Carson City, Western Nevada College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,168, while out-of-state students pay about $12,834. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Western Nevada College generally make around $47,257. Set against $15,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Washington University landed the #9 spot for engineering technology value this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $25,666 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $70,789. That is a strong return on a $25,666 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cabrillo College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,270, with out-of-state students paying around $9,862. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $10,425. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $47,750. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 53 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.
[Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/engineering-technology/) 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.
