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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in engineering, no school beat Brigham Young University Idaho this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,103 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,692. That is a strong return on a $14,103 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #2 place for engineering. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,497. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,963.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Idaho one of the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,774. Engineering graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $72,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,774 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $66,385. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Boise State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,430 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $69,127. That is a strong return on a $29,430 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
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Northwest Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,824. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,562. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Northwest Nazarene University generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Nazarene University admits about 65% of applicants.
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.