by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 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.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in engineering in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,691. Early-career engineering graduates make about $99,947. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #3 makes United States Merchant Marine Academy one of the best values for engineering. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $895. Engineering graduates of United States Merchant Marine Academy earn a median of $69,847 early in their careers. United States Merchant Marine Academy admits about 34% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queensborough Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,794. Engineering graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,185 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. 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. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #10 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $58,499. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #11 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,850. Engineering graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College placed #13 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,152. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,442. That is a strong return on a $14,152 median debt.
Erie Community College placed #14 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Broome Community College earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,560. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art came in at #17 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. Students borrow a median of $16,805 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $16,678. Set against $16,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art admits about 21% of applicants.
Rockland Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
Suny At Albany came in at #19 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Utica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $21,199. Engineering graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $63,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Finger Lakes Community College placed #21 among the best values for engineering. Located in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,258, with out-of-state students paying around $8,442. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Finger Lakes Community College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Set against $16,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stony Brook University earned the #22 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $18,961 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $73,725 early in their careers. Set against $18,961 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #23 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,692 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $93,645 early in their careers. Set against $12,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry earned the #24 position for value in engineering this year. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,763 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Suny College At Oswego placed #25 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,174. Engineering graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $71,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,174 median debt. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
