2026 Best Value General Manufacturing Engineering Schools in California
[General Manufacturing Engineering](/majors/engineering/manufacturing-engineering/general-manufacturing-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 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general manufacturing engineering students.
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2026 Best Value General Manufacturing Engineering Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general manufacturing engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Manufacturing Engineering Schools
California State University Northridge earned the #1 spot for value among general manufacturing engineering schools in California. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the general manufacturing engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general manufacturing engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general manufacturing engineering schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,083 to complete the general manufacturing engineering program here. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $79,549. That is a strong return on a $17,083 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the best values for general manufacturing engineering. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $61,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
A rank of #4 makes National University one of the best values for general manufacturing engineering. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete the general manufacturing engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general manufacturing engineering degree recipients from National University generally make around $69,080. That is a strong return on a $30,426 median debt.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
