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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for General Engineering

82 Ranked Colleges
2,945 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor's

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

General Engineering is the 78th most popular major in the country with 11,925 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, general engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $66,152 and had an average of $20,077 in loans still to pay off.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 2,945 general engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,303 and $24,501 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s” ranking analyzed 82 colleges that offered a degree in general engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Engineering Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s

The colleges and universities below are the best for bachelor’s degree engineering students.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for General Engineering

#1

McNeese State University

Lake Charles, Louisiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend McNeese State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s. McNeese is a medium-sized school located in Lake Charles, Louisiana that handed out 94 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for McNeese is $12,267 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

Read full report on General Engineering at McNeese

#2

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Carolina University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s list. WCU is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 bachelors’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,722 for bachelor’s degree engineering students per year to attend Western Carolina University.

Full WCU General Engineering Report

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #3 spot on the list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 bachelors’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,221 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#4

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Illinois University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $16,210 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

Full WIU General Engineering Report

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Martin landed the #5 spot on the list. UT Martin is located in Martin, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 bachelors’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Martin is $10,955 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

Full The University of Tennessee - Martin General Engineering Report

#6

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #6. East Carolina University is a public institution located in Greenville, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 134 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend East Carolina University is $15,844 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

Read more about General Engineering at East Carolina University

#7

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. University of Southern Indiana is a fairly large public school situated in Evansville, Indiana. It awarded 27 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern Indiana is $13,437 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

The low student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at University of Southern Indiana

#8

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #8. This fairly large school is located in Cookeville, Tennessee, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee Technological University is $15,929 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at Tennessee Tech University

California State University - Long Beach came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $9,622 for bachelor’s degree engineering students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CSULB General Engineering Report

Montana Technological University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Located in Butte, Montana, this small public school handed out 57 degrees to qualified bachelors’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Montana Technological University is $15,023 for bachelor’s degree engineering students.

Full Montana Technological University General Engineering Report

#11

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, Arkansas

John Brown University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #11. Siloam Springs, Arkansas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s engineering degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for JBU is $21,963 for bachelor’s degree engineering students.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at John Brown University

#12

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Asheville landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. Asheville, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s engineering degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UNCA is $12,061 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

Full UNCA General Engineering Report

#13

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s list. This large school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 78 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

JMU also made our “Best General Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $22,169 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students per year to attend James Madison University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full JMU General Engineering Report

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. This large school is located in Athens, Ohio, and it awarded 69 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus is $22,906 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

Read full report on General Engineering at Ohio University - Athens Campus

#15

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 49 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $16,458 for bachelor’s degree engineering students.

The low student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Engineering at NC State

#16

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland

Frostburg State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. Frostburg State University is a small school located in Frostburg, Maryland that handed out 38 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Frostburg State is $16,676 for bachelor’s degree engineering students.

Full Frostburg State University General Engineering Report

#17

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. This large school is located in University, Mississippi, and it awarded 17 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Mississippi is $14,016 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Mississippi General Engineering Report

#18

Rowan University

Glassboro, New Jersey

With a ranking of #18, Rowan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Rowan University is a fairly large public school situated in Glassboro, New Jersey. It awarded 6 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $25,454 for bachelor’s degree engineering students per year to attend Rowan University.

Read full report on General Engineering at Rowan

University of Akron Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s list. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 4 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $17,792 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

Read full report on General Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #20. Chattanooga, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s engineering degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UT Chattanooga is $12,952 for bachelor’s degree engineering students.

Read full report on General Engineering at UT Chattanooga

#21

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

With a ranking of #21, University of Utah did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s list. University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Utah is $14,773 for bachelor’s degree engineering students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full U of U General Engineering Report

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 192 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Tempe is $11,706 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Engineering at Arizona State University - Tempe

#23

Mercer University

Macon, Georgia

Mercer University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #23. Mercer University is a medium-sized school located in Macon, Georgia that handed out 146 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $21,464 for bachelor’s degree engineering students per year to attend Mercer.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at Mercer

#24

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

With a ranking of #24, Marshall University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s list. Marshall University is a fairly large school located in Huntington, West Virginia that handed out 23 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Marshall University is $8,370 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

Read full report on General Engineering at Marshall University

#25

Geneva College

Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania

Geneva College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s ranking. Geneva is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. It awarded 72 bachelors’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Geneva College is $19,778 for Bachelor’s Degree Engineering students.

Full Geneva General Engineering Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Rémi Kaupp.

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