2026 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 The University Of West Florida this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Polytechnic University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,004. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Florida Polytechnic University earn a median of $64,823 early in their careers. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,097. General Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $135,373 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #6 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $63,111. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $49,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,115. General Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Tennessee State University placed #10 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $29,489. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $45,060. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
San Jose State University earned the #12 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #13 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,119. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,324. General Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #15 position for value in general engineering this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #16 position for value in general engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,817. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $102,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Arizona State University earned the #19 position for value in general engineering this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,113 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $105,735. Set against $26,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $107,207. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,813. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $112,855. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Students borrow a median of $23,677 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $96,767. That is a strong return on a $23,677 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #23 among the best values for general engineering. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University came in at #25 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $88,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general engineering:
Other General Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Engineering rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 544 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
