2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
John Tyler Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools in the Southeast Region. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, which ranked #2. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Germanna Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Copiah Lincoln Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Western Community College earned it the #5 place for general engineering. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $13,715. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #8 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Virginia Community College placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,129. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
Florida International University landed the #10 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $19,677. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $47,141. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #12 among the best values for general engineering. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $16,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #13 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Tidewater Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $68,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $49,261. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #17 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #18 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $63,746. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Memphis placed #19 among the best values for general engineering. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,315. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #20 position for value in general engineering this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $73,410. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mcneese State University came in at #21 for value in general engineering this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,249 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $75,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Tennessee Technological University placed #22 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $17,580. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Bossier Parish Community College came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,268 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,593 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Bossier Parish Community College generally make around $43,661. That is a strong return on a $20,593 median debt.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general engineering. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $41,723. Set against $20,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #25 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,550 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $62,244. Set against $25,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
Narrow General Engineering Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
