2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Virginia

1

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

Leading the list is J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, our #1 best value for general engineering in Virginia. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

2

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

John Tyler Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lord Fairfax Community College earned it the #3 place for general engineering. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

Virginia Western Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

A rank of #5 makes Germanna Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, VA

Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #6 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $12,495. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Thomas Nelson Community College
Hampton, VA

Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA

Tidewater Community College earned the #8 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $68,555. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $16,790. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

10

Southwest Virginia Community College
Cedar Bluff, VA

Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #10 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $32,277. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

11

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $88,224. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #12 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $71,176 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

13

Randolph Macon College
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College earned the #13 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,466. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,432. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $40,317. Set against $26,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Randolph Macon College admits about 87% of applicants.

14

Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University placed #14 among the best values for general engineering. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. In-state tuition and fees average $30,592. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $46,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.