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2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in engineering in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,925 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. 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%.
Essex County College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at United States Merchant Marine Academy, which ranked #4. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $895. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery College earned it the #5 place for engineering. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,230. Engineering graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Suffolk County Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #8 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,518. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Princeton University placed #21 among the best values for engineering. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $93,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
County College Of Morris placed #22 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
Hagerstown Community College earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Students borrow a median of $15,126 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. That is a strong return on a $15,126 median debt.
Bucks County Community College placed #24 among the best values for engineering. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology placed #25 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $48,232. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering:
Narrow Engineering Schools by State
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
