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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general engineering schools.
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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.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in Missouri. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. 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.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. 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. State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #5. 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. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $67,482 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.