by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 79 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in the United States. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at College Of The Ozarks, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $48,898 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Daytona State College, which ranked #4. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,227. General Engineering graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,227 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #6 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Indiana State University earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art placed #8 among the best values for general engineering. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,820. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,805. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $16,678. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $63,746. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Andrews University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,314. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $62,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Princess Anne. Students from in state pay about $9,076 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,122. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $73,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $73,410 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
Mcneese State University placed #13 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,489, with out-of-state students paying around $9,989. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $27,249. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $75,566. That is a strong return on a $27,249 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for general engineering. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. Students from in state pay about $9,960 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Students borrow a median of $20,385 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $41,723. That is a strong return on a $20,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Western Carolina University came in at #15 for value in general engineering this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $25,550. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $62,244. That is a strong return on a $25,550 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #16 among the best values for general engineering. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,113. General Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $74,328 early in their careers. Set against $26,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $76,755. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Wichita State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,262. General Engineering graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #19 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,542. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
East Carolina University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,978 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $65,758. That is a strong return on a $26,978 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $71,769. Set against $30,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $62,968. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #23 among the best values for general engineering. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $75,058. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Stony Brook University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $55,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #25 among the best values for general engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general engineering:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Engineering rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.