2026 Best Value Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in the United States. 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, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for engineering. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,691. Engineering graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $99,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

3

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,423. Engineering graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $81,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,423 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #4 place for engineering. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $94,690. Set against $20,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,125. Early-career engineering graduates make about $101,736. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

6

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,289 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $65,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,289 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

7

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,925. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,929. That is a strong return on a $15,925 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #8 position for value in engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $18,559. Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $84,227 early in their careers. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

9

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,009 in student loans. Engineering graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $64,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,009 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

10

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #10 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $91,338. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

11

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University landed the #11 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,203 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $80,472. Set against $24,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

12

Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, FL

Florida Polytechnic University came in at #12 for value in engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Lakeland, Florida Polytechnic University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $21,004. Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Florida Polytechnic University generally make around $67,032. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

13

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #13 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $17,822 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $74,165. That is a strong return on a $17,822 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

14

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $103,482. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,235 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $99,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

16

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #16 for value in engineering this year. 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, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,150 in student loans. Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $55,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

17

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology placed #17 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,007. Early-career engineering graduates make about $63,616. That is a strong return on a $16,007 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

18

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,301. Early-career engineering graduates make about $65,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

19

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #19 for value in engineering this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,347. Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $74,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

20

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,546. Early-career engineering graduates make about $130,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

21

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #21 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,398. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $93,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

22

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #22 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $18,768. Early-career engineering graduates make about $79,144. That is a strong return on a $18,768 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

23

Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN

Purdue University Northwest earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,656 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $70,650 early in their careers. Set against $27,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.

24

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,230 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $72,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #25 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $23,819 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $99,310. Set against $23,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.