2026 Best Value Engineering-Related Fields Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny City College
New York, NY

For return on investment in engineering-related fields, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #2 place for engineering-related fields. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $133,371. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

4

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #4 place for engineering-related fields. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $120,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University East Bay earned it the #5 place for engineering-related fields. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

6

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for engineering-related fields. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

7

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #7 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

8

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

9

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #9 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $26,516. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $110,914. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.

10

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

11

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #11 among the best values for engineering-related fields. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $21,100. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

12

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $66,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13

Christian Brothers University
Memphis, TN

Christian Brothers University landed the #13 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

14

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #14 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

15

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

16

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #16 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $79,984. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

17

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #17 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $76,149. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

18

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University earned the #18 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $26,475. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #19 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $19,273. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas landed the #20 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

21

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University earned the #21 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $112,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

22

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University earned the #22 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

23

Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University earned the #23 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $88,255 early in their careers. Set against $23,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.

24

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University earned the #24 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

25

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.