2027 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering technology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Technology Schools
St Clair County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering technology schools in the Great Lakes Region. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. In-state tuition and fees average $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $16,379 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of St Clair County Community College earn a median of $45,735 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,379 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $46,493. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $11,889. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $7,440. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technology, landing the #5 spot 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. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $50,148. Set against $13,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Middletown came in at #6 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Miami University Middletown is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $26,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Miami University Middletown generally make around $69,483. Set against $26,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Lake Campus earned the #7 position for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,072 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $27,522 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Wright State University Lake Campus earn a median of $43,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Hamilton earned the #8 position for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, while out-of-state students pay about $18,811. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $26,325 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $69,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for engineering technology. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $24,293. Early-career engineering technology graduates make about $43,603. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas landed the #10 spot for engineering technology value this year. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Kent State University At Tuscarawas generally make around $45,477. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Western Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $32,373 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $64,762 early in their careers. Set against $32,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #12 among the best values for engineering technology. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,274 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $62,117 early in their careers. Set against $27,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in engineering technology this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $19,844. Engineering Technology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $92,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #14 position for value in engineering technology this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $67,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technology schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the engineering technology program here. Engineering Technology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $55,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #16 spot for engineering technology value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $45,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Morrison Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for engineering technology value this year. Morrison Institute Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Morrison. In-state tuition and fees average $20,422. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Morrison Institute Of Technology generally make around $39,332. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Narrow Engineering Technology Schools by State
More Engineering Technology Rankings
View All Engineering Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
