2026 Best Value General Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

Our analysis ranked The University Of West Florida the best value for a degree in general engineering in the United States. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

2

Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, FL

A rank of #2 makes Florida Polytechnic University one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $7,500. General Engineering graduates of Florida Polytechnic University earn a median of $64,823 early in their careers. Florida Polytechnic University admits about 58% of applicants.

3

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

A rank of #3 makes Lamar University one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $45,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $135,373. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

6

Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA

Louisiana Tech University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $49,261. Set against $23,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.

7

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

8

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,792. General Engineering graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #9 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

10

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #10 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,119. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

11

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for general engineering value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

12

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #12 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,324. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.

13

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

15

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,542. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

16

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #16 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,778. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #17 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $102,364. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

18

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

19

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,113 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $105,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

20

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,836. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $107,207. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #21 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $96,767. Set against $23,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #22 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $112,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

23

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #23 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $47,456. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

24

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #24 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

25

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University came in at #25 for value in general engineering this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $88,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.