by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering technologies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 78 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering technologies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technologies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Williamson College Of The Trades, our #1 best value for engineering technologies in Pennsylvania. Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Media. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,611. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Butler County Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $41,492. Set against $10,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #3 spot this year. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,050. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,000. Engineering Technologies graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $36,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Reading Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #4 spot this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,979. Engineering Technologies graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Montgomery County Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,219 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. Set against $15,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #6 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #7 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $18,900. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology placed #8 among the best values for engineering technologies. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,400. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $26,288 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $78,772. Set against $26,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #10 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $16,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. That is a strong return on a $16,059 median debt.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State York landed the #11 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the suburb of York, Pennsylvania State University Penn State York is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $15,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $67,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #14 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $53,646. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Commonwealth Technical Institute earned the #16 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Commonwealth Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Johnstown. In-state tuition and fees average $7,714. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $20,049.
Yti Career Institute York placed #17 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the suburb of York, Yti Career Institute York is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $18,046. Engineering Technologies graduates of Yti Career Institute York earn a median of $43,794 early in their careers. Set against $18,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College placed #18 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Erie Institute Of Technology Inc earned the #19 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Erie, Erie Institute Of Technology Inc is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,295. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,022. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $32,540. That is a strong return on a $13,022 median debt.
Gannon University landed the #20 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks came in at #21 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Lackawanna College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,400. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Lackawanna College earn a median of $63,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona landed the #23 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Robert Morris University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,770. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $58,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Robert Morris University admits about 90% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #25 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $24,979 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $58,409 early in their careers. Set against $24,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering technologies:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.