[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 464 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
Where you study electrical engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in electrical engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $21,544. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $95,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $13,563. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,172. Set against $13,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,054 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $63,468 early in their careers. Set against $15,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for electrical engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $17,440 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $14,676. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $83,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Princeton University earned the #6 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #7 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $8,858. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach placed #8 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $77,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Tacoma Community College placed #9 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,507, compared with $11,646 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,822 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,732. Set against $14,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanford University earned the #10 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $10,492. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $159,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Sacramento placed #11 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $19,430. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $74,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #12 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $73,300. That is a strong return on a $15,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Florida International University landed the #13 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $67,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego landed the #15 spot for electrical engineering value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,342 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $95,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,342 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #16 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $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 ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $17,527. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $48,726. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #18 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $66,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #19 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #20 for value in electrical engineering this year. 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. Electrical Engineering graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $70,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,884 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Utah Valley University landed the #21 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rice University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. 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. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $96,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
El Paso Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $23,250. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $82,790. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #25 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $76,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for electrical engineering this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 464 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 280 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
