DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: ROOT LEVEL MAJOR detected (no cip4), lowering min_relevance to 0.5
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.5, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Engineering Management" with relevance 0.4
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MBA in Engineering Management" REJECTED (relevance 0.4)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 2
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.7
DEBUG: Backfilling with 2 offers with relevance >= 0.6
2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Iowa
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
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in Iowa. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,874. Early-career engineering graduates make about $79,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #3. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,171 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $72,559. Set against $25,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wartburg College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,250. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,793. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Set against $26,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $73,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
ADBLOCK #101
Cornell College placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $35,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Dordt College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
