2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for general engineering in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. 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.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #3 place for general engineering. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $6,999. General Engineering graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Cerritos College one of the best values 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College came in at #7 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College placed #8 among the best values for general engineering. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Norco College earned the #9 position for value in general engineering this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #10 for value in general engineering this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. 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. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Santa Monica College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Hartnell College placed #13 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $6,000. General Engineering graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,275. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Folsom Lake College placed #15 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Chabot College placed #16 among the best values for general engineering. 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. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,122. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #17 position for value in general engineering this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
American River College landed the #18 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #19 for value in general engineering this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,692. General Engineering graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College earned the #20 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Sierra College placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College landed the #22 spot for general engineering value this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $17,223. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Bakersfield College earned the #23 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,419. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College came in at #24 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
El Camino Community College District landed the #25 spot for general engineering value this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering value ranking:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[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.
