2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 36 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat Moraine Valley Community College this year. 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. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,149. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,236. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned it the #5 place for general engineering. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $33,073. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $7,440. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #7 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,192 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $9,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,785. General Engineering graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Elgin Community College landed the #9 spot for general engineering value this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $7,727. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #10 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,533. General Engineering graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #12 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $7,500. General Engineering graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Indiana State University placed #13 among the best values for general engineering. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Jackson Community College placed #14 among the best values for general engineering. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,960. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,322. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College placed #15 among the best values for general engineering. Parkland College is a large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College landed the #16 spot for general engineering value this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Andrews University placed #17 among the best values for general engineering. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,778. General Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Central College came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $53,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for general engineering value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,542. General Engineering graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. 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. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University landed the #24 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #25 spot for general engineering value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $93,995. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
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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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
