2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong electrical engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for electrical engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in electrical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
Montgomery County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools in Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $39,025 early in their careers. Set against $15,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre earned it the #2 place for electrical engineering. Located in the rural area of Dallas, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,280, while out-of-state students pay about $24,006. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York College Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for electrical engineering. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Students borrow a median of $26,537 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $53,667. That is a strong return on a $26,537 median debt. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #6 among the best values for electrical engineering. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $76,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg came in at #7 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Messiah College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $48,957. That is a strong return on a $26,195 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University came in at #9 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $26,601. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Temple University came in at #10 for value in electrical engineering this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $27,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of Temple University earn a median of $75,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #11 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $76,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Widener University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $82,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for value in electrical engineering this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #14 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $149,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Lafayette College landed the #15 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $59,513. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for electrical engineering. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University earned the #17 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $79,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Drexel University placed #18 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $29,986 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $93,959. Set against $29,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Bucknell University came in at #19 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,812 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,951 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $64,331. Set against $25,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University earned the #20 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $90,302. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 12 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.
