Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering-related fields, balancing cost against outcomes.
Florida International University earned the #1 spot for value among engineering-related fields schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $120,323. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for engineering-related fields. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Christian Brothers University earned it the #4 place for engineering-related fields. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $32,416. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $51,040. That is a strong return on a $32,416 median debt. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $19,576 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $67,431. Set against $19,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #6 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $88,255. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $60,284. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #8 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $24,373 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $42,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $48,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #10 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Grantham University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Grantham University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of LIttle Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,520. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $30,600 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Grantham University earn a median of $58,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Upstate earned the #12 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $28,000. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $39,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #13 for value in engineering-related fields this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
East Carolina University placed #14 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $51,931. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $96,778. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #16 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,004. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $53,824. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Louisville landed the #17 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $21,910. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $111,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina placed #18 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,305 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $52,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University landed the #19 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $68,904. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $56,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University came in at #21 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $22,803. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Liberty University earned the #22 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $27,414. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Duke University landed the #23 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $13,296. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Duke University earn a median of $110,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,900. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Florida Institute Of Technology generally make around $86,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.
Narrow Engineering-Related Fields Schools by State
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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
