[Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 261 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering technology students.
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Finding the Best Value Engineering Technology School for You
Where you study engineering technology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Engineering Technology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Engineering Technology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for engineering technology in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $17,075. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State College At Jacksonville one of the best values for engineering technology. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technology will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seminole State College Of Florida earned it the #5 place for engineering technology. Set in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $18,419. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $48,049. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #6 spot for engineering technology value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College earned the #7 position for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
Pensacola State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College landed the #9 spot for engineering technology value this year. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Students borrow a median of $6,685 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $61,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,685 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $12,651. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Bellingham Technical College came in at #11 for value in engineering technology this year. Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,431, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out.
Wilkes Community College came in at #12 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #13 for value in engineering technology this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Students borrow a median of $8,286 to complete the engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $49,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #14 for value in engineering technology this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $14,430. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $48,403. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Chabot College placed #15 among the best values for engineering technology. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #16 position for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #17 position for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $16,142. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $44,101. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #18 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $46,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia State Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Set in the town of Columbia, Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, while out-of-state students pay about $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $44,481. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earned the #20 position for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $11,958. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Bridgevalley Community And Technical College generally make around $46,587. Set against $11,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College placed #21 among the best values for engineering technology. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $10,384. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $13,834. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $50,148. Set against $13,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College landed the #23 spot for engineering technology value this year. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,865 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $52,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Berea College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Tri County Technical College came in at #25 for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,448, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $15,787. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $43,438. Set against $15,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering technology value ranking:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 261 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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).
[Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
