2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Delaware County Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools in Pennsylvania. 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. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Bucks County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $48,207. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $15,219 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. Set against $15,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned it the #5 place for engineering. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,382. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,059 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $18,900. Engineering graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earned the #8 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,400. Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology admits about 87% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $45,448 early in their careers. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $74,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #11 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,914 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $68,554. Set against $26,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,486. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the best values for engineering. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,330. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #14 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Students borrow a median of $26,725 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $101,885. Set against $26,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public school located in the suburb of Dunmore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,208, while out-of-state students pay about $25,392. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton earn a median of $69,772 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Gannon University earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,656. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $65,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Swarthmore College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Robert Morris University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. Students from in state pay about $35,770 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $61,180. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in engineering this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona placed #20 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $26,870 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona generally make around $67,966. Set against $26,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #21 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Students borrow a median of $26,848 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $69,886. Set against $26,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College came in at #23 for value in engineering this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,809 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College generally make around $79,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks landed the #24 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earn a median of $69,772 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Widener University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for engineering value this year. Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,873 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $72,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
