2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Illinois

1

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Our analysis ranked Moraine Valley Community College the best value for a degree in engineering technologies in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.

2

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $7,769. Engineering Technologies graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,533. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

A rank of #4 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $8,099. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $60,223. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.

6

Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

Kankakee Community College placed #6 among the best values for engineering technologies. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College placed #7 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College placed #8 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College placed #9 among the best values for engineering technologies. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #10 position for value in engineering technologies this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College earned the #11 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

12

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College landed the #12 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College placed #14 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Rend Lake College
Ina, IL

Rend Lake College earned the #15 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $8,688. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $42,770. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.

16

Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College landed the #16 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College
Olney, IL

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public school located in the town of Olney. Students from in state pay about $5,260 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $38,331. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Heartland Community College
Normal, IL

Heartland Community College placed #18 among the best values for engineering technologies. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #19 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $32,373 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $64,762. That is a strong return on a $32,373 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

20

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #20 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $27,274 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $72,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

21

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $23,000. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $54,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #22 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $20,778. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

23

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,134 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $70,215 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

24

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #24 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $58,865. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #25 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $72,164. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.