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2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Illinois
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 City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College, our #1 best value for general engineering in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #2 place for general engineering. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at College Of Dupage, which ranked #3. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,500. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Harper College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Elgin Community College, which ranked #5. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
College Of Lake County came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College placed #7 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College earned the #8 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Central College earned the #9 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #10 spot for general engineering value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-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.
