2026 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, MI

Northwestern Michigan College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering technology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Students borrow a median of $13,834 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $50,148. That is a strong return on a $13,834 median debt.

2

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $46,493. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.

3

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $11,889. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

St Clair County Community College
Port Huron, MI

Students looking for strong value in engineering technology will find it at St Clair County Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,212 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,379 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $45,735. Set against $16,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #5 place for engineering technology. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $32,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $64,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

6

Kent State University At Tuscarawas
New Philadelphia, OH

Kent State University At Tuscarawas earned the #6 position for value in engineering technology this year. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $45,477. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.

7

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,274 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $62,117 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,274 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

8

Wright State University Lake Campus
Celina, OH

Wright State University Lake Campus came in at #8 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,372, with out-of-state students paying around $17,072. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $27,522. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Wright State University Lake Campus generally make around $43,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Miami University Hamilton
Hamilton, OH

Miami University Hamilton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $26,325. Engineering Technology graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $69,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in engineering technology this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $92,148. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

11

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #11 spot for engineering technology value this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $67,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.

12

Bowling Green State University Firelands
Huron, OH

Bowling Green State University Firelands came in at #12 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the rural area of Huron, Bowling Green State University Firelands is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,131, while out-of-state students pay about $14,119. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $19,340 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $45,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #13 position for value in engineering technology this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $55,532 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

14

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent came in at #14 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $45,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

15

Morrison Institute Of Technology
Morrison, IL

Morrison Institute Of Technology ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Set in the rural area of Morrison, Morrison Institute Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,422 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Morrison Institute Of Technology generally make around $39,332. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.