[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering-related fields students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering-related fields degrees they offer, see the list below.
California State University Northridge earned the #1 spot for value among engineering-related fields schools in the United States. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #2 place for engineering-related fields. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,788. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Louisiana Lafayette one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,373. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,373 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $76,149. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #6 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $19,576. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $67,431. Set against $19,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $23,399. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $48,847. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #8 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $22,999. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $28,231. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University earned the #9 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $13,988 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $54,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University placed #10 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $27,875 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $68,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #11 for value in engineering-related fields this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $60,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #12 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,747. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University came in at #13 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $22,669. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #14 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Western Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $67,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Arizona earned the #16 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,777. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $75,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #17 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $72,708. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #18 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $31,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $53,370. Set against $31,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #19 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,000. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $71,117. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $23,756. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $76,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #21 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $26,774. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $72,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Iowa State University came in at #22 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,236 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $62,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #23 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $45,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Clemson University landed the #24 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,000. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $68,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
South Dakota State University landed the #25 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering-related fields:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Engineering-Related Fields rankings across degree levels:
View All Engineering-Related Fields Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
