by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in engineering, no school beat Henry Ford Community College this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $11,813 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $11,813 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,616. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #5 place for engineering. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,140. Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $89,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $88,878 early in their careers. Set against $23,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Jackson Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,960. Engineering graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Ferris State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $70,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,654 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $101,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #10 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $74,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Andrews University placed #11 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $62,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #12 for value in engineering this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $26,679 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $78,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,679 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Wayne State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $28,786. Engineering graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $77,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Bay De Noc Community College landed the #14 spot for engineering value this year. Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Escanaba. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214, while out-of-state students pay about $11,453. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,625. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,075. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior State University placed #15 among the best values for engineering. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,901 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $77,229. That is a strong return on a $26,901 median debt.
Michigan Technological University came in at #16 for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $26,258 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $76,665 early in their careers. Set against $26,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #17 position for value in engineering this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $78,552. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #18 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,340 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $70,726. That is a strong return on a $29,340 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #19 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #20 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,870 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $80,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,870 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #21 position for value in engineering this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,294 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $76,970. Set against $25,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Central Michigan University landed the #22 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,824 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $71,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Calvin College earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,000. Engineering graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $68,852 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Hope College earned the #24 position for value in engineering this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career engineering graduates make about $67,410. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lawrence Technological University landed the #25 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,760. Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,029 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $78,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.