2026 Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 98 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering technology students.
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2026 Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $18,419. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $48,049. That is a strong return on a $18,419 median debt.
Pensacola State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering technology will find it at Wilkes Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. General Engineering Technology graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #6 for value in general engineering technology this year. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $12,651. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $39,922. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #7 spot for general engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Students borrow a median of $8,286 to complete the general engineering technology program here. General Engineering Technology graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $49,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College came in at #8 for value in general engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $6,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $61,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #10 position for value in general engineering technology this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $16,131. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $36,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College placed #11 among the best values for general engineering technology. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $16,142. General Engineering Technology graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia State Community College landed the #12 spot for general engineering technology value this year. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,674 in student loans. General Engineering Technology graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,674 median debt.
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earned the #13 position for value in general engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,428. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $11,958. Soon after graduation, general 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.
Berea College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Central Virginia Community College earned the #15 position for value in general engineering technology this year. 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, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $10,384. General Engineering Technology graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Mayland Community College placed #16 among the best values for general engineering technology. Mayland Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Spruce Pine. Students from in state pay about $2,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,770. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $17,144.
Chattanooga State Community College placed #17 among the best values for general engineering technology. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $13,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $52,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lanier Technical College placed #18 among the best values for general engineering technology. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. That is a strong return on a $12,278 median debt.
Tri County Technical College landed the #19 spot for general engineering technology value this year. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $15,787. General Engineering Technology graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,787 median debt.
Lake Sumter Community College placed #20 among the best values for general engineering technology. Lake Sumter Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Leesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,292, compared with $13,276 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,786 in student loans. General Engineering Technology graduates of Lake Sumter Community College earn a median of $41,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community And Technical College placed #21 among the best values for general engineering technology. Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $11,611. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $46,993. That is a strong return on a $11,611 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College placed #22 among the best values for general engineering technology. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $44,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Johns River State College placed #23 among the best values for general engineering technology. Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Palatka. Students from in state pay about $2,591 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Saint Johns River State College generally make around $47,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,762, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,742 in student loans. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $40,513. Set against $8,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College placed #25 among the best values for general engineering technology. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $15,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering technology value ranking:
Narrow General Engineering Technology Schools by State
More General Engineering Technology Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
