2026 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools in the Southeast Region

[General Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/general-engineering-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general engineering science schools.
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2026 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools in the Southeast 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
University Of New Orleans tops our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $23,048. General Engineering Science graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coastal Carolina University earned it the #2 place for general engineering science. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the general engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general engineering science. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $22,444. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $73,758. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering science will find it at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #4. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $81,126. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Sweet Briar College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Located in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,160 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,943 ten years after entry. Sweet Briar College admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.