2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Southeast 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.
College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked Central Piedmont Community College the best value for a degree in general engineering in the Southeast Region. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Durham Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,262. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,490. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Midlands Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Copiah Lincoln Community College came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #7 among the best values for general engineering. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Germanna Community College placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #10 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,252. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,245. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College earned the #12 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,969. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $45,512. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College earned the #13 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College landed the #15 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Students borrow a median of $10,698 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,129. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #17 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Gaston College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College earned the #19 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $43,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,252 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $42,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #22 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,182 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,182 median debt.
Florida International University came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $19,349. General Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Community College placed #25 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Mitchell Community College earn a median of $40,450 early in their careers. Set against $6,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
