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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

19 Colleges in the United States
$23,965 Avg Student Debt
$66,231 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Engineering Badge [Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 75 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Engineering Schools

1

Leading the list is Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology, our #1 best value for engineering in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $48,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware County Community College earned it the #2 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Montgomery County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,219. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.

4

Bucks County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg one of the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,867. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Set against $20,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

7

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Dallas, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,280, with out-of-state students paying around $24,006. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Wilkes Barre admits about 97% of applicants.

8

Community College Of Philadelphia placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,059 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,513. Engineering graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

10

Pennsylvania Western University landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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11

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

12

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

13

York College Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $74,445. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

14

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #14 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,914 in student loans. Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $70,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.

15

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

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16

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College came in at #16 for value in engineering this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.

17

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 78%.

18
Geneva College crest
Geneva College
Beaver Falls, PA

Geneva College came in at #18 for value in engineering this year. Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beaver Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $33,450. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $62,486. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #19 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

20

Saint Vincent College placed #20 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career engineering graduates make about $54,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.

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21

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earned the #21 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 99%.

22

Gannon University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $65,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

23

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $80,574. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

24
Elizabethtown College crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA

Elizabethtown College came in at #24 for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,003. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

25
Robert Morris University crest
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA

Robert Morris University came in at #25 for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $61,171. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Engineering Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for engineering this year:

26
27
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA
28
29
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA
30
31
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
32
33
34
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
35
36
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
37
38
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
39
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
40
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
41
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA
42
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 75 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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