[General Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/general-engineering-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering science students.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Finding the Best Value General Engineering Science School for You
The right general engineering science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value General Engineering Science 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 General Engineering Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
For return on investment in general engineering science, no school beat Middlesex County College this year. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the general engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering science will find it at Hudson County Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercer County Community College earned it the #3 place for general engineering science. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the general engineering science program here. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $9,668. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Houston Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $17,814 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $61,518. That is a strong return on a $17,814 median debt.
Bristol Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $37,897. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.
County College Of Morris landed the #8 spot for general engineering science value this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $9,420. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #9 spot for general engineering science value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $14,238. General Engineering Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Capital Community College earned the #10 position for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $12,059. General Engineering Science graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockland Community College placed #11 among the best values for general engineering science. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the general engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $41,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University came in at #12 for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $19,273. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $61,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans placed #14 among the best values for general engineering science. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $23,048. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $42,720. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #15 spot for general engineering science value this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $27,174. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University earned the #16 position for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general engineering science program here. General Engineering Science graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University came in at #17 for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general engineering science program here. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $81,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $73,758. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo came in at #19 for value in general engineering science this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $24,923. General Engineering Science graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Wartburg College came in at #21 for value in general engineering science this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the general engineering science program here. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $46,918. Set against $26,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wartburg College admits about 76% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general engineering science program here. General Engineering Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $69,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Sweet Briar College came in at #23 for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,160. Median earnings reach $51,943 ten years out. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity University placed #24 among the best values for general engineering science. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,676. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $21,249. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $74,063. Set against $21,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Smith College landed the #25 spot for general engineering science value this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $18,941. General Engineering Science graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,941 median debt. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering science value ranking:
General Engineering Science Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Engineering Science. See all related rankings.
ADBLOCK #115
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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).
[General Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/general-engineering-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
