by our College Data Analytics Team
[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/electrical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for electrical engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the electrical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
El Paso Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools in Texas. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $8,542. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $45,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes Lamar University one of the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $83,155. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $74,285. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for electrical engineering. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $26,971 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $80,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #6 spot for electrical engineering value this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $20,052. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #7 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,274. Electrical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $78,266 early in their careers. Set against $25,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #8 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,702 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $77,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #9 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $25,990 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $75,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Texas A And M University Texarkana came in at #10 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,349, with out-of-state students paying around $24,680. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Texarkana earn a median of $50,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,270 median debt. Texas A And M University Texarkana admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #11 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,692. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $86,136 early in their careers. Set against $25,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Students borrow a median of $28,081 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $84,195 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of North Texas came in at #13 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $75,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,508. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $71,616. Set against $25,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #15 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $91,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #16 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $28,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $72,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University landed the #17 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $26,000. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $79,544. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #18 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $109,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University landed the #19 spot for electrical engineering value this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $22,333. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Houston Baptist University earned the #20 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of $57,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,482 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $83,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University earned the #22 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $70,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.