2027 Best Value Applied Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Applied Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/applied-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 7 schools to find the best return on investment for applied engineering students.
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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
Daytona State College earned the #1 spot for value among applied engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied engineering graduates is $14,227. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $43,320. 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 #2 place for applied engineering. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for applied engineering graduates is $24,262. Applied Engineering graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Millersville University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for applied engineering. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied engineering graduates is $26,486. Applied Engineering graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay. Students from in state pay about $11,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,722. Students borrow a median of $25,884 to complete the applied engineering program here. Applied Engineering graduates of Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn a median of $77,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied engineering, landing the #5 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Applied Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $103,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #6 for value in applied engineering this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for applied engineering graduates is $20,373. Applied Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $115,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Savannah College Of Art And Design earned the #7 position for value in applied engineering this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Typical student debt for applied engineering graduates is $26,346. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $40,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Other Applied Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value applied engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All Applied Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
