[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/electrical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong electrical engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 452 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value electrical engineering schools.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in electrical engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $85,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #2 place for electrical engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,563 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $15,054. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $63,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,440. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $75,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,676. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $63,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #6 position for value in electrical engineering this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $19,750. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $77,278 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #7 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $19,430 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $74,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Princeton University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $10,888. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in electrical engineering this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego placed #10 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $20,342. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $80,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,342 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #11 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,600 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $71,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #12 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $10,492. Electrical Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $159,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology placed #13 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $15,981. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $73,300. Set against $15,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #14 among the best values for electrical engineering. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,875. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $59,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #15 among the best values for electrical engineering. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $81,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos earned the #16 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,527. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #17 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $81,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #18 spot for electrical engineering value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $66,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rice University placed #19 among the best values for electrical engineering. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $11,904. Electrical Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $96,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #20 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,884 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $70,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #21 for value in electrical engineering this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #22 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Students borrow a median of $18,812 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $80,827. That is a strong return on a $18,812 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #23 spot for electrical engineering value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $21,853. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,942. Set against $21,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #24 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $78,825. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University placed #25 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $22,250. Electrical Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $76,520 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s electrical engineering value ranking:
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 269 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong electrical engineering education at a price that pays off.
