2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pre-engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pre-engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $16,478. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $18,666. Pre-Engineering graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. Set against $18,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in pre-engineering will find it at Colorado State University Fort Collins, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $51,693. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
