[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 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.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #1 spot for value among engineering-related fields schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $110,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Oakland University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,972. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $112,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $128,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Michigan Technological University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $27,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $68,919. Set against $27,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Central Michigan University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $104,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #6 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. 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 $84,244. That is a strong return on a $31,122 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Michigan State University came in at #8 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $76,563. That is a strong return on a $23,756 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kettering University came in at #9 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,425. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $28,913 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Kettering University earn a median of $87,338 early in their careers. Set against $28,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lawrence Technological University landed the #10 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,760. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,799. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence Technological University admits about 56% of applicants.
More Engineering-Related Fields Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
