by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 30 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 Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College, our #1 best value for engineering in Minnesota. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,029. Early-career engineering graduates make about $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Century College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,583. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Anoka Ramsey Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,682. Students borrow a median of $22,593 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of $44,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Minnesota State Community And Technical College one of the best values for engineering. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,972 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 Normandale Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,162. Engineering graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $22,324. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $77,469. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $73,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Winona State University came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $72,944. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #9 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $67,246. That is a strong return on a $26,263 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,467 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $69,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rasmussen College Minnesota earned the #11 position for value in engineering this year. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,635. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $48,263. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,920. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,505 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Northwestern College Minnesota earn a median of $68,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Dunwoody College Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,477 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $34,996. Early-career engineering graduates make about $77,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel University Minnesota landed the #14 spot for engineering value this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #15 position for value in engineering this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $70,954. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.