by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat Red Rocks Community College this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,471. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado Denver earned it the #2 place for general engineering. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Front Range Community College earned it the #3 place for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $23,559 median debt. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Students borrow a median of $28,450 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $93,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $115,924. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,521. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $76,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.