2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Texas
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Texas
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
For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat South Texas College this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $6,868. General Engineering graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Tarrant County College District, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Amarillo College one of the best values for general engineering. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,720. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for general engineering. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,183. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,598 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College earned the #6 position for value in general engineering this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,087. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Paris Junior College came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,846. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College earned the #11 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,869. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College landed the #12 spot for general engineering value this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston landed the #15 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #16 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #17 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
West Texas A And M University placed #19 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,031. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University landed the #21 spot for general engineering value this year. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of $57,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #22 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $51,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Abilene Christian University earned the #23 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $56,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor came in at #24 for value in general engineering this year. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,782. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor generally make around $63,830. That is a strong return on a $26,782 median debt. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor admits about 96% of applicants.
Texas Christian University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $22,944. General Engineering graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $73,774 early in their careers. Set against $22,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
More General Engineering Rankings
View All General Engineering Rankings >
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
