by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat Bunker Hill Community College this year. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $51,782. That is a strong return on a $11,893 median debt.
Holyoke Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,907 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Shore Community College earned it the #3 place for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $51,255. That is a strong return on a $14,145 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,707. General Engineering graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $42,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Olin College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Olin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Needham. Students from in state pay about $63,742 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,512 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Olin College generally make around $109,455. That is a strong return on a $14,512 median debt. Roughly 25% of applicants are accepted.
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Northeastern University placed #6 among the best values for general engineering. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $89,698 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Wentworth Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Boston, Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,884. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Wentworth Institute Of Technology generally make around $78,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wentworth Institute Of Technology admits about 91% of applicants.
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.