by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering technology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general engineering technology, no school beat Mchenry County College this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $7,440. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. General Engineering Technology graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $32,373 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $64,762. That is a strong return on a $32,373 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for general engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $27,274. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $62,117. Set against $27,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Illinois State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering technology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $19,500. General Engineering Technology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $55,532 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Morrison Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for general engineering technology. Set in the rural area of Morrison, Morrison Institute Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,422 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $12,000. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $39,332. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.