[Pre-Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/pre-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 247 schools to find the best return on investment for pre-engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value Pre-Engineering School for You
The pre-engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among pre-engineering schools in the United States. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in pre-engineering will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #4 place for pre-engineering. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #5 place for pre-engineering. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $11,813. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $11,813 median debt.
Cerritos College placed #6 among the best values for pre-engineering. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $11,306. Pre-Engineering graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Fresno City College earned the #7 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $7,234. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #8 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $20,250. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #9 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College came in at #10 for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Reedley College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College earned the #12 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #13 among the best values for pre-engineering. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #14 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #15 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #16 for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College placed #17 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #18 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College placed #19 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $12,275. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Folsom Lake College earned the #20 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Johnston Community College came in at #21 for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College came in at #22 for value in pre-engineering this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $14,122. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Sacramento City College landed the #23 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
American River College landed the #24 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #25 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s pre-engineering value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 247 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Pre-Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/pre-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
