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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 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.
Leading the list is College Of The Ozarks, our #1 best value for general engineering in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,281. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes State Fair Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $39,168. That is a strong return on a $15,328 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #6 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $109,909. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College came in at #7 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #8 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $27,627. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $68,044. Set against $27,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College placed #10 among the best values for general engineering. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $67,482. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Doane College Crete placed #12 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the town of Crete, Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,985 in tuition and fees. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,802 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $53,500. Set against $28,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Doane College Crete admits about 98% of applicants.
Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #13 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,920. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $68,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,505 median debt. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.