2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 149 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked John Tyler Community College the best value for a degree in engineering in the Southeast Region. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,861. Engineering graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,748 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $84,539. That is a strong return on a $20,748 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,408. Engineering graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Germanna Community College landed the #7 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,999. Engineering graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Median earnings reach $31,241 ten years out.
Chattanooga State Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #11 spot for engineering value this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $36,245. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College came in at #13 for value in engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,969. Engineering graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College placed #14 among the best values for engineering. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,422. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #15 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
Holmes Community College earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College placed #17 among the best values for engineering. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,942. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #18 for value in engineering this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,495. Engineering graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
Gaston College came in at #19 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,915. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College came in at #20 for value in engineering this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #21 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,182 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,673. Set against $11,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College landed the #23 spot for engineering value this year. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,227 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University came in at #24 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $58,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #25 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,366. Engineering graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,366 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering:
Narrow Engineering Schools by State
More Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 149 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 149 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.
