by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for general engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Arizona Western College, our #1 best value for general engineering in Arizona. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Phoenix College, which ranked #2. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Estrella Mountain Community College earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chandler Gilbert Community College earned it the #5 place for general engineering. 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, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,447. General Engineering graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
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Mesa Community College placed #6 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,113 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $90,032 early in their careers. Set against $26,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the general engineering program here. 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.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.