2027 Best Value Applied Engineering Schools
[Applied Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/applied-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for applied engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value Applied Engineering School for You
Where you study applied engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Applied Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Applied Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Applied Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Applied Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Henry Ford Community College the best value for a degree in applied engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,813 to complete the applied engineering program here. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $11,813 median debt.
Michigan Technological University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value applied engineering schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Applied Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Daytona State College earned it the #3 place for applied engineering. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Students borrow a median of $14,227 to complete the applied engineering program here. Applied Engineering graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #4 place for applied engineering. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the applied engineering program here. Soon after graduation, applied engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cabrillo College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value applied engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,270, with out-of-state students paying around $9,862. Applied Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Applied Engineering graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide landed the #6 spot for applied engineering value this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,097. Students borrow a median of $20,787 to complete the applied engineering program here. Soon after graduation, applied engineering degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $76,517. That is a strong return on a $20,787 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in applied engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete the applied engineering program here. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $47,049. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value applied engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,420, compared with $23,722 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied engineering graduates is $25,884. Soon after graduation, applied engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Maritime Academy generally make around $77,139. Set against $25,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for applied engineering value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the applied engineering program here. Applied Engineering graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $103,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #10 spot for applied engineering value this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Applied Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $115,924. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #11 among the best values for applied engineering. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,630. Applied Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,346 in student loans. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $40,671. That is a strong return on a $26,346 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
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Applied Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
