by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 716 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for engineering in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,075. Early-career engineering graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #3. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
College Of San Mateo came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes John Tyler Community College one of the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
United States Merchant Marine Academy landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $895 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847. United States Merchant Marine Academy admits about 34% of applicants.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $11,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Princeton University placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $92,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Santa Monica College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Oxnard College earned the #10 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #11 for value in engineering this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,423 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $75,623. Set against $17,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #14 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,691. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $99,947. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Ventura College landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #16 for value in engineering this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,306. Early-career engineering graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $20,748 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $84,539. That is a strong return on a $20,748 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Middlesex County College placed #18 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,514. Engineering graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #20 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Cuny City College earned the #21 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,925. Early-career engineering graduates make about $72,286. That is a strong return on a $15,925 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Shasta College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College placed #23 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College placed #24 among the best values for engineering. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,408. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #25 among the best values for engineering. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering:
These schools also placed among the best values for engineering this year:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #101 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill, CA | Full Report |
| #102 | College Of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | Full Report |
| #103 | El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA | Full Report |
| #104 | Odessa College | Odessa, TX | Full Report |
| #105 | California State University Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #106 | Hudson Valley Community College | Troy, NY | Full Report |
| #107 | Salt Lake Community College | Salt Lake City, UT | Full Report |
| #108 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in engineering:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #134 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | Full Report |
| #135 | Hudson County Community College | Jersey City, NJ | Full Report |
| #136 | Union County College | Cranford, NJ | Full Report |
| #137 | Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | Full Report |
| #138 | Chabot College | Hayward, CA | Full Report |
| #139 | Ozarks Technical Community College | Springfield, MO | Full Report |
| #140 | Sierra College | Rocklin, CA | Full Report |
| #141 | University Of Michigan Dearborn | Dearborn, MI | Full Report |
| #142 | Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | Full Report |
| #143 | University Of Washington Tacoma Campus | Tacoma, WA | Full Report |
| #144 | City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College | Chicago, IL | Full Report |
Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
View All Engineering Concentrations >
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 · 716 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 716 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.