2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Virginia
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Virginia
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
John Tyler Community College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. 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.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Western Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,715. Engineering graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Germanna Community College, which ranked #4. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Piedmont Virginia Community College one of the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $46,129. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,698 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $16,790. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College earned the #8 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $68,555 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $36,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Old Dominion University landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,247 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $75,810. That is a strong return on a $25,247 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University came in at #11 for value in engineering this year. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Engineering graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,093. Early-career engineering graduates make about $88,691. Set against $25,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Sweet Briar College earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sweet Briar. In-state tuition and fees average $26,160. Median earnings reach $51,943 ten years out. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,838. Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $85,626 early in their careers. Set against $15,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Virginia Military Institute earned the #15 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $61,364. Set against $25,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ecpi University landed the #16 spot for engineering value this year. Ecpi University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $18,484. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,988. Early-career engineering graduates make about $48,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
James Madison University placed #17 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,176. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Christopher Newport University placed #18 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University landed the #19 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $76,810. Set against $20,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,517 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $78,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,517 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Eastern Mennonite University earned the #21 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,920 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $55,325. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Eastern Mennonite University admits about 100% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #22 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $80,574. That is a strong return on a $25,739 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Randolph Macon College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,466. Students borrow a median of $24,706 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,317. Set against $24,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Liberty University landed the #24 spot for engineering value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,905 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,088. Set against $26,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
