2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

1

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

Leading the list is South Texas College, our #1 best value for general engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #2. 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. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,720. General Engineering graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,375. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $43,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Mclennan Community College
Waco, TX

Mclennan Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

7

Paris Junior College
Paris, TX

Paris Junior College landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,846. General Engineering graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.

8

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System earned the #9 position for value in general engineering this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Meridian Technology Center
Stillwater, OK

Meridian Technology Center ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public institution. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $61,765.

11

Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Shawnee, OK

Gordon Cooper Technology Center placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public institution. General Engineering graduates of Gordon Cooper Technology Center earn a median of $44,822 early in their careers.

12

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.

13

Metro Technology Centers
Oklahoma City, OK

Metro Technology Centers landed the #13 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public institution. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,833. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Metro Technology Centers generally make around $48,236. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt.

14

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $26,113 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $90,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #15 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

16

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #16 spot for general engineering value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

17

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

18

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #18 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

19

Rose State College
Midwest City, OK

Rose State College came in at #19 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $13,451. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $50,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona placed #20 among the best values for general engineering. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

21

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #21 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $47,456. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

22

Canadian Valley Technology Center
El Reno, OK

Canadian Valley Technology Center placed #22 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the rural area of El Reno, Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. General Engineering graduates of Canadian Valley Technology Center earn a median of $46,777 early in their careers.

23

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,138. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.

24

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #24 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

25

Prairie View A And M University
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A And M University came in at #25 for value in general engineering this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $63,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.