2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 226 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value General Engineering School for You
Where you study general engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value General Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat John Tyler Community College this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $48,427. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
Essex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Amarillo College placed #6 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,720. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College earned the #8 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,185. General Engineering graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,185 median debt.
Germanna Community College placed #10 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Rock Valley College came in at #12 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Tarrant County College District landed the #14 spot for general engineering value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,148. General Engineering graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College earned the #15 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $42,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,518. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Snow College placed #17 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #18 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District earned the #19 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,183. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Montgomery College earned the #20 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Copiah Lincoln Community College placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $31,241 ten years out.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #22 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $13,715. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,245. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
College Of Dupage placed #23 among the best values for general engineering. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,500. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ozarks landed the #24 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,944. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #25 for value in general engineering this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $35,562. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 226 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 226 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.
