by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 128 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
United States Merchant Marine Academy earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $895. Early-career engineering graduates make about $69,847. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Princeton University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $92,758. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Laguardia Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,858. Engineering graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #5 place for engineering. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,925. Engineering graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $72,286 early in their careers. Set against $15,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Middlesex County College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Montgomery College landed the #7 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College landed the #8 spot for engineering value this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,185. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #10 for value in engineering this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,518. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College placed #13 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College landed the #14 spot for engineering value this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,000. Engineering graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware County Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,866. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #18 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $58,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Nassau Community College placed #19 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,850. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College earned the #20 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,068. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College placed #21 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,152 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $43,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College came in at #22 for value in engineering this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $8,508 median debt.
Hudson County Community College placed #23 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $35,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
College Of Southern Maryland ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,728 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $51,719. That is a strong return on a $9,728 median debt.
Erie Community College placed #25 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering:
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 · 128 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 128 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
