[Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering science students.
Finding the Best Value Engineering Science School for You
Where you study engineering science affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Engineering Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Engineering Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Raritan Valley Community College, our #1 best value for engineering science in the United States. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $9,668. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for engineering science. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $9,514. Engineering Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for engineering science. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $17,814 to complete the engineering science program here. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $61,518. Set against $17,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Engineering Science graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Engineering Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Bristol Community College placed #6 among the best values for engineering science. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Engineering Science graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College landed the #7 spot for engineering science value this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
County College Of Morris placed #8 among the best values for engineering science. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $9,420. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
North Idaho College landed the #9 spot for engineering science value this year. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt.
Vincennes University came in at #10 for value in engineering science this year. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $14,506. 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.
Vanderbilt University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering science schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $15,000. Engineering Science graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $81,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Capital Community College placed #12 among the best values for engineering science. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Passaic County Community College landed the #13 spot for engineering science value this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering science schools. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #15 position for value in engineering science this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the engineering science program here. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $61,010. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of New Orleans landed the #16 spot for engineering science value this year. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $23,048. Engineering Science graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #17 spot for engineering science value this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the engineering science program here. Engineering Science graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $73,758 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for engineering science. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the engineering science program here. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $64,405. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Toledo ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering science schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Harvard University earned the #20 position for value in engineering science this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Sweet Briar College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering science schools. Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sweet Briar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,160. Median earnings reach $51,943 ten years out. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Washington And Lee University came in at #22 for value in engineering science this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,045 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $76,810. That is a strong return on a $20,074 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Yale University placed #23 among the best values for engineering science. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $73,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Trinity University placed #24 among the best values for engineering science. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,676. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $21,249 in student loans. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $74,063. That is a strong return on a $21,249 median debt. Trinity University admits about 26% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #25 position for value in engineering science this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $24,250. Engineering Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $69,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Engineering Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering science value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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).
[Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
