2026 Best Value General Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College tops our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,093. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $33,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.

4

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,915. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Harper College
Palatine, IL

A rank of #5 makes Harper College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

6

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,500. General Engineering graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College placed #8 among the best values for general engineering. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

John Tyler Community College earned the #9 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.

10

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #10 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.

11

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County came in at #11 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #12 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Copiah Lincoln Community College
Wesson, MS

Copiah Lincoln Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.

14

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MI

Schoolcraft College came in at #15 for value in general engineering this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $8,949 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,283. That is a strong return on a $8,949 median debt.

16

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College earned the #16 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.

17

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College placed #17 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,192 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $9,192 median debt.

18

Monroe Community College
Rochester, NY

Monroe Community College placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,185. General Engineering graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,185 median debt.

19

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

Virginia Western Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $13,715. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Snow College came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #21 position for value in general engineering this year. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,698. General Engineering graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.

22

Hudson Valley Community College
Troy, NY

Hudson Valley Community College earned the #22 position for value in general engineering this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,375. General Engineering graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $43,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.

24

Itawamba Community College
Fulton, MS

Itawamba Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,942. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.

25

East Mississippi Community College
Scooba, MS

East Mississippi Community College landed the #25 spot for general engineering value this year. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.