2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 Essex County College this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Monroe Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,185. General Engineering graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,185 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery College earned it the #3 place for general engineering. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,230. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,794. General Engineering graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,518 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #6 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $7,858. General Engineering graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $48,898. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware County Community College placed #8 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Bucks County Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College earned the #11 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,152. General Engineering graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $43,442 early in their careers. Set against $14,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College came in at #12 for value in general engineering this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,508. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $27,813. Set against $8,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College earned the #13 position for value in general engineering this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Maryland ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,728. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $51,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College landed the #15 spot for general engineering value this year. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #16 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Broome Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Binghamton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,830 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $41,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.
Harford Community College came in at #18 for value in general engineering this year. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,624. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,820. Students borrow a median of $16,805 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $16,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Howard Community College placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,836. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,115 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Howard Community College earn a median of $56,172 early in their careers. Set against $18,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College earned the #22 position for value in general engineering this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,651. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,374. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Ocean County College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #24 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,076, compared with $20,122 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,166 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $73,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Gloucester County College came in at #25 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value General Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general engineering:
Narrow General Engineering Schools by State
More General Engineering Rankings
View All General Engineering Rankings >
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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
