by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering science students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study engineering science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Engineering Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Middlesex County College tops our 2026 list of the best value engineering science schools in the United States. 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, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $9,514. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Raritan Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering science. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $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 engineering science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
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Houston Community College came in at #6 for value in engineering science this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $17,814 in student loans. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $61,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering science schools. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.
County College Of Morris landed the #8 spot for engineering science value this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $9,420. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #9 spot for engineering science value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $14,238. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Capital Community College landed the #10 spot for engineering science value 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, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Engineering Science graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Rockland Community College came in at #11 for value in engineering science this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $41,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University landed the #12 spot for engineering science value this year. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. Engineering Science graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Set against $14,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #13 spot for engineering science value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Engineering Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Orleans landed the #14 spot for engineering science value this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, 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. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #15 position for value in engineering science this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $27,174. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $38,272. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University landed the #16 spot for engineering science value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University earned the #17 position for value in 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. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $15,000. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $81,126. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for engineering science. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $73,758. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Toledo came in at #19 for value in engineering science this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the engineering science program here. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in engineering science this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $49,077. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College placed #21 among the best values for engineering science. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering science schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $24,250. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $69,336. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Sweet Briar College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering science schools. Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sweet Briar. Students from in state pay about $26,160 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $51,943 ten years out. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity University came in at #24 for value in engineering science this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,676. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $21,249 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $74,063. Set against $21,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College landed the #25 spot for engineering science value this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $18,941. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $40,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering science this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Engineering Science. See all related rankings.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering Science | 1,120 |
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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.