2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Our analysis ranked South Texas College the best value for a degree in general engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,720. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $43,183 early in their careers. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College earned the #6 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College came in at #7 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,988. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Arizona Western College came in at #10 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. General Engineering graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
Paris Junior College placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,811. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center came in at #12 for value in general engineering this year. Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public school located in the town of Shawnee. General Engineering graduates of Gordon Cooper Technology Center earn a median of $44,822 early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #13 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Metro Technology Centers placed #14 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public university. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Metro Technology Centers generally make around $48,236. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt.
Tulsa Technology Center placed #15 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College came in at #17 for value in general engineering this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Tyler Junior College landed the #18 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Lone Star College System earned the #19 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College placed #20 among the best values for general engineering. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,376. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rose State College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,451 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the general engineering program here. 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. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #23 spot for general engineering value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,113 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $90,032. That is a strong return on a $26,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #24 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
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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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
