by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Crowder College, our #1 best value for engineering in Missouri. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $33,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,507. Engineering graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Ozarks earned it the #4 place for engineering. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Engineering graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #5. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $46,660. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
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Jefferson College placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
East Central College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #8 among the best values for engineering. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,781. Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $78,253 early in their careers. Set against $27,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,808 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $78,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #10 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,233 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $70,697. Set against $25,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #11 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,496. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
William Jewell College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,950. Early-career engineering graduates make about $48,588. That is a strong return on a $25,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #13 for value in engineering this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $73,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #14 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $19,688 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $96,235. That is a strong return on a $19,688 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Drury University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,267. That is a strong return on a $26,641 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,405 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $70,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
