by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering technologies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering technologies schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technologies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in engineering technologies, no school beat Eastern Shore Community College this year. Eastern Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melfa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Patrick Henry Community College earned it the #2 place for engineering technologies. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Students borrow a median of $11,235 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $33,358 early in their careers. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rappahannock Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering technologies. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $8,997. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,398. That is a strong return on a $8,997 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Wytheville Community College, which ranked #4. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,542 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,973. Set against $9,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,715. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $46,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
John Tyler Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,000. Engineering Technologies graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $39,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #9 for value in engineering technologies this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $7,467 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $29,666. Set against $7,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College came in at #10 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,999. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #11 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $7,490. Engineering Technologies graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $33,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,490 median debt.
New River Community College came in at #12 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Students borrow a median of $13,132 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $60,183. Set against $13,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lord Fairfax Community College placed #13 among the best values for engineering technologies. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,698. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #14 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College landed the #15 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $56,162. That is a strong return on a $7,999 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,157, while out-of-state students pay about $11,595. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,798. Engineering Technologies graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #18 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $14,402. Engineering Technologies graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #19 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Mountain Empire Community College generally make around $36,988. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,020 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $53,492. Set against $13,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave placed #21 among the best values for engineering technologies. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $40,020. That is a strong return on a $11,768 median debt.
Old Dominion University earned the #22 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $70,620. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Virginia State University landed the #23 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $27,500. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $65,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ecpi University came in at #24 for value in engineering technologies this year. Ecpi University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $18,484. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $33,868 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $62,813. Set against $33,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ecpi University admits about 74% of applicants.
Advanced Technology Institute landed the #25 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Advanced Technology Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Students from in state pay about $14,568 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,331 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Advanced Technology Institute earn a median of $39,883 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Advanced Technology Institute admits about 54% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering technologies this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.