[General Manufacturing Engineering](/majors/engineering/manufacturing-engineering/general-manufacturing-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 89 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general manufacturing engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value General Manufacturing Engineering School for You
Where you study general manufacturing engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value General Manufacturing Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Manufacturing Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
California State University Northridge earned the #1 spot for value among general manufacturing engineering schools in the United States. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general manufacturing engineering will find it at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,083 in student loans. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $79,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for general manufacturing engineering. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the general manufacturing engineering program here. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general manufacturing engineering will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for general manufacturing engineering graduates is $14,694. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Alabama earned it the #5 place for general manufacturing engineering. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for general manufacturing engineering graduates is $24,291. Soon after graduation, general manufacturing engineering degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Arizona State University placed #6 among the best values for general manufacturing engineering. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $24,253 to complete the general manufacturing engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general manufacturing engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $74,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in general manufacturing engineering this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general manufacturing engineering graduates is $19,137. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University landed the #8 spot for general manufacturing engineering value this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general manufacturing engineering degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $68,715. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #9 spot for general manufacturing engineering value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general manufacturing engineering degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $69,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #10 for value in general manufacturing engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general manufacturing engineering graduates is $19,273. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Wichita State University placed #11 among the best values for general manufacturing engineering. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #12 spot for general manufacturing engineering value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #13 position for value in general manufacturing engineering this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general manufacturing engineering graduates is $21,375. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $68,886. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general manufacturing engineering schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general manufacturing engineering program here. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $83,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Universidad Politecnica De Puerto Rico Hato Rey Campus placed #15 among the best values for general manufacturing engineering. Universidad Politecnica De Puerto Rico Hato Rey Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hato Rey. In-state tuition and fees average $9,870. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,182 in student loans. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $29,146. Set against $23,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oregon State University came in at #16 for value in general manufacturing engineering this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,457 in student loans. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $72,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #17 for value in general manufacturing engineering this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,814 in student loans. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $83,497 early in their careers. Set against $29,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University landed the #18 spot for general manufacturing engineering value this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,425 in student loans. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $65,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #19 position for value in general manufacturing engineering this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Boston University placed #20 among the best values for general manufacturing engineering. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for general manufacturing engineering graduates is $25,232. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Northwestern University placed #21 among the best values for general manufacturing engineering. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Bradley University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general manufacturing engineering schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for general manufacturing engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $67,488. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines earned the #23 position for value in general manufacturing engineering this year. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Typical student debt for general manufacturing engineering graduates is $24,521. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #24 spot for general manufacturing engineering value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,477. Typical student debt for general manufacturing engineering graduates is $34,996. Early-career general manufacturing engineering graduates make about $77,857. That is a strong return on a $34,996 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general manufacturing engineering schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. General Manufacturing Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general manufacturing engineering degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value General Manufacturing Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general manufacturing engineering:
This ranking is produced 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[General Manufacturing Engineering](/majors/engineering/manufacturing-engineering/general-manufacturing-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
