by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in California. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuyamaca College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuyamaca College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,346, compared with $11,314 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $32,435 ten years out.
San Francisco State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for general engineering. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,097. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $135,373. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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University Of California Riverside earned the #6 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $102,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Cabrillo College landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Cabrillo College is a large public school located in the suburb of Aptos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,270, with out-of-state students paying around $9,862. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $47,750. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of The Pacific ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,080. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,514. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $90,603. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of San Diego came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $68,281. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Harvey Mudd College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,613 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $22,240. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Harvey Mudd College generally make around $92,491. That is a strong return on a $22,240 median debt. Harvey Mudd College admits about 13% of applicants.
Point Loma Nazarene University earned the #11 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,250. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $54,116. That is a strong return on a $22,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.