by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat Bossier Parish Community College this year. Located in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,268. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,593. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,661. That is a strong return on a $20,593 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mcneese State University earned it the #2 place for general engineering. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $27,249. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $75,566. Set against $27,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mcneese State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $49,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $42,873. That is a strong return on a $24,373 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Southern University And A And M College, which ranked #5. Southern University And A And M College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Students from in state pay about $9,922 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,272. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $33,288. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Southern University And A And M College generally make around $45,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 35%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.