[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/electrical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 452 schools to find the best return on investment for electrical engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value Electrical Engineering School for You
The electrical engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for electrical engineering in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,544 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $95,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,563 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $78,172. That is a strong return on a $13,563 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $15,054. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $63,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $17,440 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $75,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,440 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,676. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $83,169. Set against $14,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University came in at #6 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #7 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach landed the #8 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $77,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Tacoma Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $5,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,822 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $41,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanford University placed #10 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $159,472. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $74,450. That is a strong return on a $19,430 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $20,342. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $95,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,981 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $73,300. That is a strong return on a $15,981 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #14 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $59,672 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #15 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,600 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $67,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #16 for value in electrical engineering this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $15,000. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $81,989. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos came in at #17 for value in electrical engineering this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,527 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $48,726. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #18 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $15,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $103,328 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #19 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $66,506. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rice University earned the #20 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $96,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,884 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $70,563. Set against $13,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Utah Valley University earned the #22 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $82,790. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
El Paso Community College placed #24 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $76,520. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in electrical engineering:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Electrical Engineering. See all related 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 · 452 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 278 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).
[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/electrical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
