by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Tacoma Community College, our #1 best value for engineering in Washington. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,646. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,822. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,732. That is a strong return on a $14,822 median debt.
Olympic College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. 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. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,497. Engineering graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $57,593 early in their careers. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Tacoma Campus one of the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $15,196 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $87,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Everett Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,032, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,542 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $47,441 early in their careers. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clark College earned it the #5 place for engineering. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the engineering program here. 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.
Whatcom Community College landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Whatcom Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $5,296, with out-of-state students paying around $11,435. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,588 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Whatcom Community College generally make around $51,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,546. Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $110,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Green River Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,426 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $88,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Washington State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $22,101. Engineering graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $76,677 early in their careers. Set against $22,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University earned the #11 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,649 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $66,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,649 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,060. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $63,393. That is a strong return on a $25,060 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Walla Walla University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,227. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,625. Early-career engineering graduates make about $56,616. That is a strong return on a $27,625 median debt.
Whitworth University earned the #14 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $47,998. That is a strong return on a $26,051 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Martins University landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lacey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,510. Students borrow a median of $23,707 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Saint Martins University earn a median of $71,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle University placed #16 among the best values for engineering. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,235 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $70,439. That is a strong return on a $24,235 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Gonzaga University placed #17 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,964 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Gonzaga University generally make around $74,827. That is a strong return on a $24,964 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.