[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 279 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering students.
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in engineering in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $89,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $99,947. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,423 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $90,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,748. Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $92,573 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #5. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $99,492. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $74,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Northridge earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $83,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,656. Engineering graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $78,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,150 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $55,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #10 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $21,289. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $66,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,196. Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $87,474 early in their careers. Set against $15,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $19,464. Early-career engineering graduates make about $82,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #13 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,768 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $78,419. That is a strong return on a $18,768 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #14 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $18,009 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $64,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,009 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #15 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,819 in student loans. Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $100,091 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Oakland University earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $26,140 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $89,527. That is a strong return on a $26,140 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #17 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,203. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $81,017. Set against $24,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #18 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $19,230 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Central Florida placed #19 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $92,358 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,822 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $74,304. Set against $17,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #21 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $108,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #22 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,493 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $99,146. Set against $24,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego landed the #23 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,235 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $99,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #24 position for value in engineering this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $20,347 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $77,037. Set against $20,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,612 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $82,693. Set against $31,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 279 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 279 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).
[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.
