2026 Best Value General Engineering Science Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/general-engineering-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general engineering science schools.
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2026 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Science Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex County College, our #1 best value for general engineering science in the United States. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $35,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Raritan Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for general engineering science. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the general engineering science program here. General Engineering Science graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for general engineering science. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $17,814. General Engineering Science graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $61,518 early in their careers. Set against $17,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $9,482. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $37,897. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.
County College Of Morris came in at #7 for value in general engineering science this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capital Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $12,059. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Rockland Community College earned the #9 position for value in general engineering science this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University earned the #10 position for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $14,506. General Engineering Science graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Set against $14,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other General Engineering Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general engineering science schools at other degree levels:
View All General Engineering Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
