[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 315 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
Finding the Best Value General Engineering School for You
The right general engineering school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Santa Ana College, which ranked #2. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #3 place for general engineering. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for general engineering. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,098. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,813. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Santa Monica College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Ventura College landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #10 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Cerritos College placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #12 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
John Tyler Community College placed #13 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,262. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,293. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College placed #16 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $17,616. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Shasta College landed the #17 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
Johnston Community College placed #19 among the best values for general engineering. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #21 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #22 for value in general engineering this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College came in at #25 for value in general engineering this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 315 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 315 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).
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
