2026 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/general-engineering-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering science students.
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2026 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Engineering Science Schools
Mercer County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $12,250. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for general engineering science. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Hudson County Community College one of the best values for general engineering science. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $35,909. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes County College Of Morris one of the best values for general engineering science. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $9,420. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockland Community College earned the #6 position for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #7 spot for general engineering science value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $69,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #8 spot for general engineering science value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for general engineering science. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
