DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked J Sargeant Reynolds Community College the best value for a degree in general engineering in the Southeast Region. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,500. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,965. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Copiah Lincoln Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #4 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Itawamba Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College earned the #7 position for value in general engineering 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, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $68,555. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $16,790. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida landed the #10 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $19,677. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College placed #12 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,200. Students borrow a median of $19,858 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Potomac State College Of West Virginia University generally make around $42,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University placed #14 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $19,349. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Nelson Community College placed #15 among the best values for general engineering. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Polytechnic University placed #16 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $21,004. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Florida Polytechnic University generally make around $64,823. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #17 among the best values for general engineering. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,990. General Engineering graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #18 for value in general engineering this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,846. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $49,261. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University earned the #19 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University earned the #20 position for value in general engineering this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,060 early in their careers. Set against $29,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $32,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Georgia placed #22 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,792. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Bossier Parish Community College came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bossier City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,268. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,593 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Bossier Parish Community College earn a median of $43,661 early in their careers. Set against $20,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #24 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $50,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Mcneese State University came in at #25 for value in general engineering this year. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,489, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,249 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of $75,566 early in their careers. Set against $27,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general engineering value ranking:
Narrow General Engineering Schools by State
[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.
