by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/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 1312 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #3 place for engineering. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #5 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Henry Ford Community College came in at #6 for value in engineering this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,813 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $11,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College landed the #7 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,093. Early-career engineering graduates make about $33,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,999. Early-career engineering graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Norco College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Ventura College landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #11 for value in engineering this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College came in at #14 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #15 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #17 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College placed #18 among the best values for engineering. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #19 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Essex County College came in at #20 for value in engineering this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College placed #21 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chabot College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College came in at #23 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
College Of The Canyons earned the #24 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College placed #25 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering this year:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Engineering rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1312 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.