by our College Data Analytics Team
[Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for electrical engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the electrical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in electrical engineering, no school beat Norfolk State University this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the best values for electrical engineering. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Old Dominion University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $27,580. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $73,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,309 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $47,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,309 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $24,000. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $77,938. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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Christopher Newport University landed the #6 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $25,094 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $41,656. Set against $25,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $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 came in at #8 for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,849 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $93,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University placed #9 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,899 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $76,127. Set against $26,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The ranking above is published 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.