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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Red Rocks Community College the best value for a degree in engineering in Colorado. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. 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.
University Of Colorado Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $36,983. Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $76,034 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Front Range Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,384 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned it the #5 place for engineering. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,450 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $50,985. Set against $28,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $56,557. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $25,024 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $76,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,666 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $91,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines earned the #10 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,569 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $74,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,569 median debt. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Denver earned the #11 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Students borrow a median of $26,248 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $65,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.