2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Virginia

1

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

For return on investment in engineering, no school beat J Sargeant Reynolds Community College this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. 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.

2

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Tyler Community College earned it the #2 place for engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,262. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

A rank of #3 makes Lord Fairfax Community College one of the best values for engineering. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.

4

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Virginia Western Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

A rank of #5 makes Germanna Community College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. 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.

6

Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, VA

Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $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.

7

Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA

Tidewater Community College earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $68,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $16,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Thomas Nelson Community College
Hampton, VA

Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,402. Engineering graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.

10

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $87,312. Set against $25,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

11

Southwest Virginia Community College
Cedar Bluff, VA

Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $32,277. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

12

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,247. Early-career engineering graduates make about $74,737. Set against $25,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

13

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University came in at #13 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.

14

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #14 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,517 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $78,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

15

Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA

Virginia Military Institute came in at #15 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $61,240. Set against $25,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants.

16

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #16 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,176. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

17

Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Ecpi University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,484. Students borrow a median of $27,988 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Ecpi University earn a median of $48,429 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

18

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $84,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.

19

Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University came in at #19 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $41,656. That is a strong return on a $25,094 median debt. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.

20

Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA

Sweet Briar College landed the #20 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,160 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,943 ten years after entry. Sweet Briar College admits about 76% of applicants.

21

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #21 spot for engineering value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $80,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

22

Randolph Macon College
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,466. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,706 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of $40,317 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

23

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,905 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,730. Set against $26,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

24

Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University earned the #24 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,592 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,169 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $46,870. That is a strong return on a $26,169 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.