by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering technologies schools.
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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.
For return on investment in engineering technologies, no school beat Trident Technical College this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $18,116. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Florence Darlington Technical College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $7,230. Engineering Technologies graduates of Florence Darlington Technical College earn a median of $34,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes York Technical College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,907. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $37,626. That is a strong return on a $10,907 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Students borrow a median of $19,172 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $37,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Midlands Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
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Central Carolina Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,715, with out-of-state students paying around $9,016. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,598. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri County Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $15,787. Engineering Technologies graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $58,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earned the #8 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $18,583. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $67,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greenville Technical College came in at #9 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, with out-of-state students paying around $10,775. Students borrow a median of $12,009 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $73,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College placed #10 among the best values for engineering technologies. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $65,388. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
Piedmont Technical College placed #11 among the best values for engineering technologies. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Students from in state pay about $4,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $53,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Upstate landed the #12 spot for engineering technologies value this year. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $28,000. Engineering Technologies graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $39,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
South Carolina State University earned the #13 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,740 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of South Carolina State University earn a median of $39,914 early in their careers. Set against $31,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #14 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Students borrow a median of $24,305 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $52,909. That is a strong return on a $24,305 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Clemson University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $68,904. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.