by our College Data Analytics Team
[Other Engineering](/majors/engineering/other-engineering/engineering-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for other engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value other engineering schools in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #2 place for other engineering. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for other engineering graduates is $27,000. Other Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $80,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other engineering will find it at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Other Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Other Engineering graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value other engineering schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Other Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career other engineering graduates make about $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Lafayette College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other engineering schools. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Typical student debt for other engineering graduates is $16,931. Soon after graduation, other engineering degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $59,513. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for other engineering. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.