by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
South Texas College earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in Texas. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $6,868. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $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. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Amarillo College one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,183. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Mclennan Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,598. General Engineering graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College earned the #6 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Lamar University came in at #7 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Paris Junior College placed #8 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Central Texas College landed the #10 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,290. General Engineering graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Blinn College earned the #12 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,465. General Engineering graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System came in at #13 for value in general engineering this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,425. 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 #14 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, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,376. General Engineering graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston landed the #15 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #16 position for value in general engineering this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $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. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #17 spot for general engineering value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #18 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University came in at #19 for value in general engineering this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $22,333. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,515. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #20 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,031. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University earned the #21 position for value in general engineering this year. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $57,088. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #22 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $51,876 early in their careers. Set against $28,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Students borrow a median of $26,782 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $63,830 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Abilene Christian University landed the #24 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,772. General Engineering graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Texas Christian University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $22,944. General Engineering graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $73,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.