2026 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
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College tops our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,093. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #2. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $17,616. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schoolcraft College earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,949. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,283. Set against $8,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Harper College one of the best values for general engineering. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #6 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $9,192 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,192 median debt.
College Of Lake County came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Mchenry County College placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Illinois Central College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. 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. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,222. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #14 for value in general engineering this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,119. General Engineering graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,424 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #15 position for value in general engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #16 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the general engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,542. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Michigan Technological University placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $25,800. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #19 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $96,767. Set against $23,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #20 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $112,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #21 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #22 for value in general engineering 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. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,378. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University placed #24 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Michigan State University earned the #25 position for value in general engineering this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $75,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general engineering:
Narrow General Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
[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.
