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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Associate’s Degree Schools

15 Colleges in the United States
$13,946 Avg Student Debt
$41,701 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Associate's Degree Badge [Manufacturing Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/industrial-production-technology/manufacturing-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 388 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for manufacturing engineering technology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in manufacturing engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools

1
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among manufacturing engineering technology schools in the United States. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

2

Copiah Lincoln Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.

3

Students looking for strong value in manufacturing engineering technology will find it at Patrick Henry Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $11,235. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $33,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,235 median debt.

4

Pearl River Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Located in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,700, while out-of-state students pay about $6,100. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Pearl River Community College generally make around $44,162. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

5
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Students looking for strong value in manufacturing engineering technology will find it at Crowder College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $9,887. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $36,148. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.

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Arkansas Northeastern College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,570, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Arkansas Northeastern College generally make around $47,773. That is a strong return on a $7,944 median debt.

7

Pellissippi State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $42,672 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.

8

Virginia Western Community College placed #8 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $13,715. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $49,287. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.

9

J F Drake State Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, J F Drake State Community And Technical College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,060. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,281.

10

Schoolcraft College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Macomb Community College came in at #11 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $10,963. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

13

Sinclair Community College landed the #13 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

John Tyler Community College earned the #14 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

H Councill Trenholm State Technical College came in at #15 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, H Councill Trenholm State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,183 ten years after entry.

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16

Southern Arkansas University Tech ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Located in the rural area of Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,480. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $7,350. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Tech generally make around $33,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College earned the #17 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $56,633. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #18 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,730 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Hudson Valley Community College came in at #19 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $12,868 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $56,997 early in their careers. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Southside Virginia Community College earned the #20 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,467 in student loans. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $29,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,467 median debt.

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21

Danville Community College placed #21 among the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,494 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $55,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Olympic College crest
Olympic College
Bremerton, WA

Olympic College earned the #22 position for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Students borrow a median of $6,875 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Olympic College earn a median of $57,593 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,875 median debt.

23

Mountain Empire Community College landed the #23 spot for manufacturing engineering technology value this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

John C Calhoun State Community College came in at #24 for value in manufacturing engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $12,000. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $59,567 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete the manufacturing engineering technology program here. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $40,020. Set against $11,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Manufacturing Engineering Technology Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for manufacturing engineering technology this year:

26
27
28
29
30
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN
31
32
33
34
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN
35
36
37
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
38
39
40
41
Iti Technical College crest
Iti Technical College
Baton Rouge, LA
42
43

Other Manufacturing Engineering Technology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value manufacturing engineering technology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Bachelor's Degrees in Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Master's Degrees in Manufacturing Engineering Technology
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View All Manufacturing 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 · 388 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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