2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Essex County College earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Monroe Community College, which ranked #2. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,185 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Montgomery College one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,794. General Engineering graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,518 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,866. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $48,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #10 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College landed the #11 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College came in at #12 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,850. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College earned the #13 position for value in general engineering this year. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,152. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,508. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $27,813. Set against $8,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College came in at #15 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Maryland landed the #16 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,728 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of College Of Southern Maryland earn a median of $51,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College placed #17 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,764. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #19 for value in general engineering this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,002. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Broome Community College landed the #20 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $16,830 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,560. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.
Harford Community College placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,624 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County placed #22 among the best values for general engineering. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,440. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art placed #23 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. Students from in state pay about $46,820 in tuition and fees. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art generally make around $16,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Howard Community College earned the #24 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,115 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $56,172. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.
Brookdale Community College earned the #25 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,651. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering value ranking:
Narrow General Engineering Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
