Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering-related fields, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked New Jersey Institute Of Technology the best value for a degree in engineering-related fields in New Jersey. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,755. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $96,471. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Students looking for strong value in engineering-related fields will find it at Rowan University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,488. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $95,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University New Brunswick earned it the #3 place for engineering-related fields. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Stevens Institute Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. In-state tuition and fees average $63,462. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $93,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants.
Notes and References
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.