Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering-related fields, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #1 spot for value among engineering-related fields schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M University Kingsville one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rice University earned it the #3 place for engineering-related fields. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in engineering-related fields will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $76,149. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #6 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #7 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #8 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $75,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #9 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $24,777 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $75,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #10 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #11 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #12 position for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $20,031. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $120,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $20,712. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $111,319. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
Narrow Engineering-Related Fields Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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/) 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.
