by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,563 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $85,564. That is a strong return on a $14,563 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Snow College, which ranked #2. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #3 place for engineering. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,103. Early-career engineering graduates make about $72,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #4 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Red Rocks Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho came in at #6 for value in engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,497. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,963.
Weber State University earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $69,537. That is a strong return on a $23,354 median debt.
Southern Utah University came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
North Idaho College placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,396 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Governors University earned the #10 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,277. Engineering graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #11 spot for engineering value this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $36,983 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $76,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Front Range Community College landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Set against $17,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Idaho State University earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $66,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming earned the #14 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,840 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $67,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,840 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Utah State University landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $74,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #16 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,742. Engineering graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $75,445 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,742 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #17 among the best values for engineering. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,484. Early-career engineering graduates make about $44,861. That is a strong return on a $27,484 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #18 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,774 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,439. Set against $23,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $25,140 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $89,587. Set against $25,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #20 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $18,666 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
University Of Utah placed #21 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $80,385. That is a strong return on a $23,134 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana placed #22 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $79,932. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $28,450. Early-career engineering graduates make about $50,985. That is a strong return on a $28,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Engineering graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $56,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #25 spot for engineering value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,024. Early-career engineering graduates make about $76,827. That is a strong return on a $25,024 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
