2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in California

1

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

Our analysis ranked San Diego Miramar College the best value for a degree in engineering in California. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Engineering graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #3. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.

4

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #4. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #5 place for engineering. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the engineering program here. 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.

6

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College came in at #6 for value in engineering this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,250. Early-career engineering graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College earned the #8 position for value in engineering this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.

10

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College placed #10 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #11 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Engineering graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

12

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College came in at #12 for value in engineering this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.

13

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College placed #14 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,000. Early-career engineering graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

15

Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College placed #15 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles placed #16 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $17,423 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $74,746. Set against $17,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

17

Folsom Lake College
Folsom, CA

Folsom Lake College landed the #17 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.

18

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College earned the #19 position for value in engineering this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.

20

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #20 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $79,671. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

21

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,692. Early-career engineering graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.

22

American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College came in at #22 for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.

23

Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College placed #23 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.

24

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Mission College
Santa Clara, CA

Mission College placed #25 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,223. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.