2026 Best Value Engineering Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Science Schools
Leading the list is Mercer County Community College, our #1 best value for engineering science in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $12,250. Engineering Science graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering science will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Engineering Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering science will find it at Hudson County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley 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 Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $9,668. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College landed the #6 spot for engineering science value this year. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $11,167. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $41,799. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #7 spot for engineering science value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $69,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering science schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the engineering science program here. Engineering Science graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for engineering science value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Narrow Engineering Science Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 5 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.
[Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/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.
