2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools

1

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

A rank of #2 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #3. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.

4

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #5 place for general engineering. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general 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.

7

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.

9

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College earned the #9 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College earned the #10 position for value in general engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.

11

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College landed the #11 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.

12

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College came in at #12 for value in general engineering this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $7,234. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #13 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

14

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. 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. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $44,198. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.

15

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College earned the #15 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College came in at #16 for value in general engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.

17

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College earned the #17 position for value in general engineering this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College came in at #19 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College placed #20 among the best values for general engineering. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

22

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College earned the #22 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $6,868. General Engineering graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

Essex County College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.

25

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. 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, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.