2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Washington
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
Leading the list is Tacoma Community College, our #1 best value for engineering in Washington. Located in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,507, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Olympic College earned it the #2 place for engineering. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,472, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $57,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Falls Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,031 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $34,901 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 University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,000. Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $78,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Clark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,432. Engineering graduates of Clark College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Everett Community College placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,032, with out-of-state students paying around $11,171. Students borrow a median of $13,542 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,546 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $111,861. Set against $15,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Green River Community College earned the #8 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,426. Early-career engineering graduates make about $89,858. That is a strong return on a $15,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Washington University placed #10 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Students borrow a median of $29,649 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $65,867. That is a strong return on a $29,649 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Washington State University earned the #11 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $76,957. Set against $22,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Western Washington University placed #12 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,060 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $63,197. That is a strong return on a $25,060 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Walla Walla University placed #13 among the best values for engineering. Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of College Place. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,227. Students borrow a median of $27,625 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Walla Walla University earn a median of $56,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,625 median debt.
Saint Martins University earned the #14 position for value in engineering this year. Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lacey. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Students borrow a median of $23,707 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,531. That is a strong return on a $23,707 median debt. Saint Martins University admits about 90% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University placed #15 among the best values for engineering. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $79,088. Set against $26,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seattle Pacific University admits about 83% of applicants.
Seattle University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $71,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Gonzaga University came in at #17 for value in engineering this year. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Students borrow a median of $24,964 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $74,886. That is a strong return on a $24,964 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
