by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
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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 Arizona Western College this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned it the #2 place for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Phoenix College earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Estrella Mountain Community College earned it the #5 place for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,752. General Engineering graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Arizona State University landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $26,113 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $90,032. That is a strong return on a $26,113 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.