[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/) 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 300 schools to find the best return on investment for electrical engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Electrical Engineering School for You
The right electrical engineering school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for electrical engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Laguardia Community College earned it the #2 place for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $8,858. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Tacoma Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,507, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,822. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $21,544. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $95,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $17,440 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $75,207 early in their careers. Set against $17,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny City College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,563 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $78,172. Set against $13,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #7 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,676. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $83,169 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,676 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #8 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,430 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $74,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton placed #9 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $15,054. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $63,468. Set against $15,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Utah Valley University placed #10 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #11 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $21,853. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $94,217 early in their careers. Set against $21,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Holmes Community College earned the #12 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Marcos ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,527. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #14 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,877 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $102,380. Set against $17,877 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University landed the #15 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $26,000. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $92,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $81,989. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #17 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $99,147. Set against $18,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #18 among the best values for electrical engineering. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,812. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $80,827 early in their careers. Set against $18,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #19 spot for electrical engineering value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $19,750. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $77,278. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #21 among the best values for electrical engineering. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $19,600. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $67,895. Set against $19,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
California State University Fresno landed the #22 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $59,672 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College placed #23 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #24 for value in electrical engineering this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the electrical engineering program here. 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%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $97,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s electrical engineering value ranking:
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 · 300 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 300 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).
[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
