2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 134 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for general engineering in the Far Western Region. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Moorpark College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general 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 general engineering graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #4 place for general 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, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #6 for value in general 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. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,196. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Norco College earned the #10 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the general engineering program here. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Hartnell College placed #13 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. 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. General Engineering graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College earned the #15 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Chabot College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general 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, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Sacramento City College landed the #17 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. 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.
Sierra College placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College landed the #22 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the general engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $9,419 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #24 among the best values for general engineering. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
El Camino Community College District ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
Narrow General Engineering Schools by State
More General Engineering Rankings
View All General Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
