by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 275 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for engineering in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,748. Early-career engineering graduates make about $85,191. Set against $20,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes J Sargeant Reynolds Community College one of the best values for engineering. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,500. Engineering graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Copiah Lincoln Community College, which ranked #5. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
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John Tyler Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,262. Early-career engineering graduates make about $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
Hinds Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College placed #10 among the best values for engineering. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College landed the #11 spot for engineering value this year. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
Midlands Technical College placed #12 among the best values for engineering. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Itawamba Community College earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,832. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Gaston College earned the #14 position for value in engineering this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,915. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,937. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Chattanooga State Community College landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College placed #16 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,889. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #17 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,500. Engineering graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $16,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Holmes Community College placed #18 among the best values for engineering. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
Tidewater Community College landed the #19 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $68,555. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #20 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
Germanna Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,999. Engineering graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #22 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Students borrow a median of $13,366 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University placed #23 among the best values for engineering. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,521 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $58,025 early in their careers. Set against $19,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #24 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,182. Engineering graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,182 median debt.
Daytona State College landed the #25 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Students borrow a median of $14,227 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,320. Set against $14,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering this year:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 275 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 77 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.