2027 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Illinois
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering technologies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technologies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
For return on investment in engineering technologies, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering technologies. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $8,099. Engineering Technologies graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering technologies. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $60,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College came in at #6 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,994. Engineering Technologies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #8 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,289. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Oakton Community College came in at #9 for value in engineering technologies this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,470. Engineering Technologies graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $36,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,470 median debt.
Elgin Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College earned the #13 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College placed #14 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $7,440. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #17 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,533. Engineering Technologies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #18 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earned the #19 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,260 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,434 median debt.
Rend Lake College landed the #20 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College came in at #21 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College came in at #22 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
Heartland Community College earned the #23 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Set against $13,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #24 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $54,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Western Illinois University came in at #25 for value in engineering technologies this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $32,373. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $64,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering technologies this year:
More Engineering Technologies Rankings
View All Engineering Technologies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
