2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Michigan
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Henry Ford Community College the best value for a degree in general engineering in Michigan. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $11,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general engineering program here. 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.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $17,616. General Engineering graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Jackson Community College, which ranked #4. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,960. General Engineering graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Andrews University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $62,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Bay De Noc Community College earned the #6 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the town of Escanaba, Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214, while out-of-state students pay about $11,453. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $17,625. General Engineering graduates of Bay De Noc Community College earn a median of $39,075 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt.
Michigan Technological University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $29,053. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,179. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $75,058. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $68,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College earned the #12 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $67,410. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
