by our College Data Analytics Team
[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for electrical engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in electrical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Arizona Western College earned the #1 spot for value among electrical engineering schools in Arizona. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,500. Electrical Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $98,800 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $20,500. Electrical Engineering graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $71,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $97,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Canyon University earned it the #5 place for electrical engineering. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $30,524. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $74,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.