2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in California
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 88 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Schools
For return on investment in engineering, no school beat Moorpark College this year. 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ventura College earned it the #5 place for engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. 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. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College landed the #7 spot for engineering value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #8 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #10 for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Shasta College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,275. Early-career engineering graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles placed #12 among the best values for engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,423 in student loans. Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $75,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,423 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #13 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Modesto Junior College came in at #14 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #15 position for value in engineering this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Pasadena City College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,191. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #17 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Engineering graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,096 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $49,043. Set against $18,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Clovis Community College Fresno earned the #19 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638.
Antelope Valley College came in at #20 for value in engineering this year. Antelope Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lancaster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,729. Engineering graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College placed #21 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #22 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, 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 $79,695 early in their careers. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Allan Hancock College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering:
More Engineering Rankings
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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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 88 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.
