by our College Data Analytics Team
[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/electrical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong electrical engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for electrical engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in electrical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in electrical engineering, no school beat Norfolk State University this year. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $26,725. Electrical Engineering graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $82,175 early in their careers. Set against $26,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,580 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $73,418. That is a strong return on a $27,580 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Virginia Military Institute came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, while out-of-state students pay about $52,638. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,309 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $47,915 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for electrical engineering. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $77,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
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Christopher Newport University earned the #6 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $25,094. Electrical Engineering graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,094 median debt. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #7 for value in electrical engineering this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,627. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $82,135. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #8 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $25,849 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $93,271. That is a strong return on a $25,849 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $26,899. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $76,127. Set against $26,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.