by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat Snow College this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of Western Idaho one of the best values for general engineering. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $40,963.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #3 place for general engineering. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Sheridan College, which ranked #4. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Students borrow a median of $13,910 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Sheridan College generally make around $49,039. That is a strong return on a $13,910 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #5 place for general engineering. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,471. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Set against $17,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Students borrow a median of $23,559 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $114,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #9 spot for general engineering value this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $66,022 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College landed the #10 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,450 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
Boise State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,311. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $93,602. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #13 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,373. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $115,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Northwest Nazarene University earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Nampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,824. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $27,562. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Northwest Nazarene University generally make around $50,330. Set against $27,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #15 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,521. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $76,298. That is a strong return on a $24,521 median debt. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.