2026 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College earned the #1 spot for value among pre-engineering schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #2 place for pre-engineering. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

3

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

4

Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midlands Technical College earned it the #4 place for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC

A rank of #5 makes Cape Fear Community College one of the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga State Community College landed the #6 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $37,252. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.

7

Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College placed #7 among the best values for pre-engineering. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $39,937. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.

9

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #10 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Pre-Engineering graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.

11

University Of Arkansas Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR

University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #11 position for value in pre-engineering this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,333 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $39,204. Set against $20,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.

12

University Of Memphis
Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13

Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC

Guilford Technical Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,320, with out-of-state students paying around $7,696. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,501 in student loans. Pre-Engineering graduates of Guilford Technical Community College earn a median of $36,124 early in their careers. Set against $20,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.