2027 Best Value General Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
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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
Lamar University tops our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,988. General Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of West Florida one of the best values for general engineering. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $19,677. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. 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. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Louisiana Tech University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $49,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Georgia earned the #6 position for value in general engineering this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,792. General Engineering graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #7 among the best values for general engineering. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,288 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
San Jose State University earned the #8 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Houston landed the #11 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside earned the #12 position for value in general engineering this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. 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. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Vanderbilt University placed #13 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #14 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $107,207. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #16 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Texas came in at #17 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #18 spot for general engineering value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $26,113 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $105,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University landed the #19 spot for general engineering value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,179. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,373 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. Set against $24,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $112,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Old Dominion University placed #22 among the best values for general engineering. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $88,224 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #23 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $93,995. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #24 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $114,220 early in their careers. Set against $23,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #25 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
Other General Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All General Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
