Finding the Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology School for You
Where you study manufacturing engineering technology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the manufacturing engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Cerritos College the best value for a degree in manufacturing engineering technology in the United States. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. 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 #2 place for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $9,384. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #3 place for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $19,139. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in manufacturing engineering technology will find it at Central Carolina Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in manufacturing engineering technology will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #5. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Fresno City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College placed #7 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Reedley College earned the #8 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Copiah Lincoln Community College placed #9 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Patrick Henry Community College earned the #10 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $11,235. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $33,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College came in at #11 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College earned the #12 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pearl River Community College earned the #13 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Poplarville. Students from in state pay about $3,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $44,162. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College placed #14 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #15 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $14,636. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College earned the #16 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $42,672 early in their careers. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College earned the #17 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $36,148. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg placed #18 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Students borrow a median of $15,595 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $45,400. That is a strong return on a $15,595 median debt.
Hazard Community And Technical College landed the #19 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $12,212. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,212 median debt.
Central Arizona College landed the #20 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College placed #21 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
John Tyler Community College landed the #23 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas Northeastern College landed the #24 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,570, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,944 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $97,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,944 median debt.
Sinclair Community College came in at #25 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for manufacturing engineering technology this year:
Narrow Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools by Region
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 388 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
[Manufacturing Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/industrial-production-technology/manufacturing-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
