by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 790 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in general engineering in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #3 place for general engineering. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general engineering program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. 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. General Engineering graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,813 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,196. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,093. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $33,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,250. General Engineering graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Norco College landed the #10 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the general engineering program here. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #11 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $7,234. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #12 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,112. General Engineering graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College placed #14 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, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Hartnell College came in at #16 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #17 for value in general engineering this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #19 spot for general engineering value this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #21 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Essex County College landed the #22 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,472. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,915. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #23 among the best values for general engineering. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
Explore the best-value general engineering schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 790 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.