2026 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in manufacturing engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Cerritos College the best value for a degree in manufacturing engineering technology in the Far Western Region. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in manufacturing engineering technology will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Reedley College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 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 #4 place for manufacturing engineering technology. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norco College earned it the #5 place for manufacturing engineering technology. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Butte College placed #6 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. 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.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #7 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.
Olympic College landed the #8 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Students borrow a median of $6,875 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $57,593. That is a strong return on a $6,875 median debt.
Rogue Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,256, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $15,248. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Rogue Community College earn a median of $51,243 early in their careers. Set against $15,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Portland Community College came in at #10 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $78,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shoreline Community College earned the #11 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $16,700. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $62,009. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Central Oregon Community College earned the #12 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Central Oregon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bend. Students from in state pay about $5,683 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,246. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Central Oregon Community College generally make around $52,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nevada College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Carson City, Western Nevada College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,168, while out-of-state students pay about $12,834. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $15,948. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Western Nevada College earn a median of $47,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Charles A Jones Career And Education Center earned the #14 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Charles A Jones Career And Education Center is a small public institution. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $7,114. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Charles A Jones Career And Education Center generally make around $49,173. That is a strong return on a $7,114 median debt.
Narrow Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 62 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.
[Manufacturing Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/industrial-production-technology/manufacturing-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
