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2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

6 Colleges in the United States
$21,307 Avg Student Debt
$66,031 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Engineering Badge [General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general engineering schools.

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2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Engineering Schools

1

For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.

2

Bucks County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $13,068. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

A rank of #3 makes Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg one of the best values for general engineering. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $20,867. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

A rank of #4 makes Swarthmore College one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

5

Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Community College Of Philadelphia, which ranked #5. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.

7
Geneva College crest
Geneva College
Beaver Falls, PA

Geneva College landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beaver Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $33,450. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Geneva College earn a median of $62,486 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.

8
Elizabethtown College crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA

Elizabethtown College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,950. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $73,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

9
Robert Morris University crest
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA

Robert Morris University placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,770 in tuition and fees. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $61,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #10 position for value in general engineering this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $72,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #11 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

12
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College placed #12 among the best values for general engineering. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,931. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $76,507. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.

13
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #13 spot for general engineering value this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,184. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $72,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 37 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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