If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering-related fields degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in engineering-related fields in the United States. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $13,850 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $63,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,788. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Christian Brothers University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $66,798. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #5 place for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $76,149 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #6 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, 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.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $16,625 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $72,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #8 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $22,999. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $28,231 early in their careers. Set against $22,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #9 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,576 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette earned the #10 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,146. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,373. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $42,873. Set against $24,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #11 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $60,284. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #12 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. 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, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $72,708 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #13 spot for engineering-related fields value 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. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $75,109 early in their careers. Set against $24,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #14 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $39,473. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
East Carolina University placed #15 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,875 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $68,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
South Dakota State University placed #17 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,000. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $71,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Iowa State University came in at #19 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. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $62,416. Set against $25,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Grantham University placed #20 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of LIttle Rock, Grantham University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,520. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $30,600. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Grantham University generally make around $58,712. That is a strong return on a $30,600 median debt.
Pittsburg State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $50,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #22 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,122 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $53,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #23 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $23,756 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $76,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,756 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #24 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $72,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #25 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $67,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering-related fields value ranking:
Explore the best-value engineering-related fields schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
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 · 237 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
