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2026 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pre-engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools
San Diego Miramar College tops our 2026 list of the best value pre-engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $8,098. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for pre-engineering. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $6,999. Pre-Engineering graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #5 place for pre-engineering. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,813 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Fresno City College placed #7 among the best values for pre-engineering. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
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. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Norco College placed #9 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Reedley College landed the #10 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College placed #11 among the best values for pre-engineering. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College placed #12 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #13 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Hartnell College placed #14 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #15 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $11,861. Pre-Engineering graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Shasta College placed #18 among the best values for pre-engineering. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College earned the #19 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Johnston Community College landed the #20 spot for pre-engineering value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $9,490. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College earned the #22 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City 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 $13,180 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College came in at #23 for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #24 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Allan Hancock College landed the #25 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for pre-engineering this year:
Other Pre-Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value pre-engineering schools at other degree levels:
[Pre-Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/pre-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
