by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 544 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked California State University Bakersfield the best value for a degree in general engineering in the United States. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $48,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Ozarks one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. General Engineering graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
A rank of #4 makes Florida International University one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,113 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $74,328. That is a strong return on a $26,113 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mcneese State University earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,249 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $75,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,249 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Carolina University came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $25,550. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $62,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,076, with out-of-state students paying around $20,122. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of $73,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #11 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $73,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #13 among the best values for general engineering. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $76,755. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. Students from in state pay about $9,960 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,385. General Engineering graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of $41,723 early in their careers. Set against $20,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #15 for value in general engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $30,518. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $71,769. That is a strong return on a $30,518 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University placed #16 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $62,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #17 position for value in general engineering this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,978 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $65,758. That is a strong return on a $26,978 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Swarthmore College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $66,971. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University earned the #19 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $55,437. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University landed the #20 spot for general engineering value this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Olin College placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Olin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Needham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,742. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,512 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Olin College earn a median of $109,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,512 median debt. Roughly 25% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University earned the #22 position for value in general engineering this year. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of $57,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Michigan State University placed #23 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $75,058. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #24 among the best values for general engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College placed #25 among the best values for general engineering. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $28,450. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,985. Set against $28,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Engineering rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 544 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.