by our College Data Analytics Team
[Pre-Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/pre-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 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value pre-engineering schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pre-engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in pre-engineering, no school beat Salt Lake Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $10,855. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #2 place for pre-engineering. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in pre-engineering will find it at Dixie State College Of Utah, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. Pre-Engineering graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.