2027 Best Value General Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Lamar University, our #1 best value for general engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of West Florida one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $19,677. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $135,373. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Louisiana Tech University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,846. General Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $49,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,288. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
San Jose State University came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,255. General Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of California Riverside came in at #12 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $102,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,324. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. Set against $23,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #14 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #15 position for value in general engineering this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $107,207. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #17 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Arizona State University landed the #18 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,113 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $105,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Grand Valley State University earned the #19 position for value in general engineering this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,373. General Engineering graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $112,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Old Dominion University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,001. General Engineering graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $88,224 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #23 among the best values for general engineering. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,659. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $93,995. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #25 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $114,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering value ranking:
Other General Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All General Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 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.
