by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering-related fields students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering-related fields, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in engineering-related fields, no school beat Gannon University this year. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Robert Morris University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #2 spot this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Students borrow a median of $26,748 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $58,900. Set against $26,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #4 spot this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $68,547 early in their careers. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
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Drexel University placed #6 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $28,838. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $101,570. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.