by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering technology students.
What’s on this page:
The engineering technology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Engineering Technology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Engineering Technology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering technology schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #2 place for engineering technology. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Students borrow a median of $6,685 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $61,687. Set against $6,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technology will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technology will find it at Hillsborough Community College, which ranked #4. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $16,142. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #6 for value in engineering technology this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in engineering technology this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $48,403. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wilkes Community College placed #8 among the best values for engineering technology. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College earned the #9 position for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,428. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Bridgevalley Community And Technical College generally make around $46,587. That is a strong return on a $11,958 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College placed #11 among the best values for engineering technology. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $48,463. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.
Bellingham Technical College earned the #12 position for value in engineering technology this year. Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. Students from in state pay about $4,431 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #13 among the best values for engineering technology. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $18,000. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $46,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,865 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $52,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia State Community College came in at #15 for value in engineering technology this year. Columbia State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,948, with out-of-state students paying around $17,772. Students borrow a median of $12,674 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Columbia State Community College earn a median of $44,481 early in their careers. Set against $12,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $16,131. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $36,965. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #17 spot for engineering technology value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Clair County Community College landed the #18 spot for engineering technology value this year. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,212, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $16,379 to complete the engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $45,735. That is a strong return on a $16,379 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #19 position for value in engineering technology this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Sumter Community College came in at #20 for value in engineering technology this year. Lake Sumter Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Leesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $3,292, with out-of-state students paying around $13,276. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $10,786 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $41,764. That is a strong return on a $10,786 median debt.
Jackson State Community College came in at #21 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,740, with out-of-state students paying around $17,724. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $8,553 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $61,123. That is a strong return on a $8,553 median debt.
Gwinnett Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,524 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,092. Students borrow a median of $18,048 to complete the engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Gwinnett Technical College generally make around $39,288. That is a strong return on a $18,048 median debt.
Eastern Florida State College placed #23 among the best values for engineering technology. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, with out-of-state students paying around $10,976. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $44,690. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #24 among the best values for engineering technology. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College earned the #25 position for value in engineering technology this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,834 to complete the engineering technology program here. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $50,148. That is a strong return on a $13,834 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering technology value ranking:
Engineering Technology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.