2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Leading the list is Central New Mexico Community College, our #1 best value for general engineering in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #3. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.

4

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma City Community College earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.

5

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $43,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.

6

Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College landed the #6 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,516. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $16,516 median debt.

7

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,148. General Engineering graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.

8

Mclennan Community College
Waco, TX

Mclennan Community College landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,598. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

10

Paris Junior College
Paris, TX

Paris Junior College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. In-state tuition and fees average $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.

11

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College earned the #11 position for value in general engineering this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,376. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.

12

Meridian Technology Center
Stillwater, OK

Meridian Technology Center earned the #12 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public university. General Engineering graduates of Meridian Technology Center earn a median of $61,765 early in their careers.

13

Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Shawnee, OK

Gordon Cooper Technology Center came in at #13 for value in general engineering this year. Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public school located in the town of Shawnee. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $44,822.

14

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System placed #14 among the best values for general engineering. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College came in at #15 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.

16

Metro Technology Centers
Oklahoma City, OK

Metro Technology Centers ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Metro Technology Centers is a small public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Metro Technology Centers generally make around $48,236. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

18

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Northeast Technology Center System Office
Pryor, OK

Northeast Technology Center System Office placed #19 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Pryor, Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public institution. General Engineering graduates of Northeast Technology Center System Office earn a median of $35,262 early in their careers.

20

Rose State College
Midwest City, OK

Rose State College placed #20 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,451 median debt.

21

Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Glendale, AZ

Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #21 position for value in general engineering this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.

22

Chandler Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ

Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #22 position for value in general engineering this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,204. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.

24

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,113. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $90,032. Set against $26,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

25

Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ

Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #25 position for value in general engineering this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.