2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Alabama

[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering technologies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering technologies schools.
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2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Alabama
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 George C Wallace State Community College Dothan this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Northeast Alabama Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rainsville. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gadsden State Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,312. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $36,521. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bishop State Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering technologies. Set in the city of Mobile, Bishop State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,340, compared with $9,210 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,712. Engineering Technologies graduates of Bishop State Community College earn a median of $35,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,712 median debt.
Northwest Shoals Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,312. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $33,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bevill State Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,040 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Bevill State Community College earn a median of $38,514 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,040 median debt.
J F Drake State Community And Technical College landed the #7 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,281.
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,060. Median earnings reach $32,183 ten years out.
Chattahoochee Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Phenix City, Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,970. Students borrow a median of $13,204 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Chattahoochee Valley Community College generally make around $53,099. Set against $13,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus landed the #10 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $11,769 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus earn a median of $40,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,769 median debt.
John C Calhoun State Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tanner. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,990. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $59,567 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson State Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson State Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,083 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $38,981. Set against $15,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Union State Community College landed the #13 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $8,874. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,555 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Southern Union State Community College generally make around $44,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James H Faulkner State Community College came in at #14 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $14,326. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $55,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shelton State Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,127, with out-of-state students paying around $8,997. Students borrow a median of $10,688 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Shelton State Community College earn a median of $49,403 early in their careers. Set against $10,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Alabama came in at #16 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Alabama placed #17 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $53,270. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville came in at #18 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,146 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,017. That is a strong return on a $13,146 median debt.
Alabama A And M University placed #19 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $31,896. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,909. Set against $31,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville State University earned the #20 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $23,730. Engineering Technologies graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $57,465 early in their careers. Set against $23,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Columbia Southern University landed the #21 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,224. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $20,517. Engineering Technologies graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $80,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,517 median debt.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $24,797 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $62,903. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #23 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $22,803. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
More Engineering Technologies Rankings
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.