2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in the Far Western Region. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,098. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for engineering. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #5 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Fresno City College placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $7,234. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #8 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,886. Engineering graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Ventura College landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,250. Engineering graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #11 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Reedley College earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for engineering value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,423 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $74,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of The Canyons came in at #14 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Engineering graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College earned the #15 position for value in engineering this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, 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 earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,000. Engineering graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton placed #17 among the best values for engineering. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $79,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #18 spot for engineering value this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,692. Early-career engineering graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Chabot College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Sacramento City College came in at #21 for value in engineering this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College landed the #22 spot for engineering value this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Engineering graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Allan Hancock College earned the #24 position for value in engineering this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Sierra College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,733. Early-career engineering graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering:
Narrow Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 210 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
