2026 Best Value Applied Engineering Schools

1

Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL

Leading the list is Daytona State College, our #1 best value for applied engineering in the United States. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,227 to complete the applied engineering program here. Applied Engineering graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,227 median debt.

2

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Students looking for strong value in applied engineering will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #2. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the applied engineering program here. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA

Cabrillo College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value applied engineering schools. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,270, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the applied engineering program here. Applied Engineering graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,097. Applied Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $76,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

5

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Millersville, PA

A rank of #5 makes Millersville University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for applied engineering. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied engineering graduates is $26,486. Applied Engineering graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

6

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for applied engineering value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the applied engineering program here. Applied Engineering graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $103,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #7 among the best values for applied engineering. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the applied engineering program here. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $54,669. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #8 among the best values for applied engineering. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for applied engineering graduates is $20,373. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $115,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

9

Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA

Massachusetts Maritime Academy landed the #9 spot for applied engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,420, while out-of-state students pay about $23,722. Students borrow a median of $25,884 to complete the applied engineering program here. Applied Engineering graduates of Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn a median of $77,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University placed #10 among the best values for applied engineering. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete the applied engineering program here. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $74,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence Technological University admits about 56% of applicants.

11

Savannah College Of Art And Design
Savannah, GA

Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #11 among the best values for applied engineering. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,630 in tuition and fees. Applied Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,346 in student loans. Early-career applied engineering graduates make about $40,671. That is a strong return on a $26,346 median debt. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.