2026 Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Engineering Technology Schools
Northwestern Michigan College earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering technology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,834 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $50,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering technology will find it at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Early-career general 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 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the general engineering technology program here. General Engineering Technology graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes St Clair County Community College one of the best values for general engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,212, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $16,379. General Engineering Technology graduates of St Clair County Community College earn a median of $45,735 early in their careers. Set against $16,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #5 place for general engineering technology. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $32,373 in student loans. General 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. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $45,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,274 to complete the general engineering technology program here. General Engineering Technology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $62,117 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,274 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Wright State University Lake Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Set in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,372, while out-of-state students pay about $17,072. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $27,522 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Wright State University Lake Campus generally make around $43,705. Set against $27,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Hamilton earned the #9 position for value in general engineering technology this year. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $26,325 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $69,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for general engineering technology. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $92,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #11 spot for general engineering technology value this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $25,000. General Engineering Technology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $67,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Firelands earned the #12 position for value in general engineering technology this year. Set in the rural area of Huron, Bowling Green State University Firelands is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,131, compared with $14,119 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $19,340. General Engineering Technology graduates of Bowling Green State University Firelands earn a median of $45,610 early in their careers. Set against $19,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois State University came in at #13 for value in general engineering technology this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering technology graduates is $19,500. Early-career general engineering technology graduates make about $55,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering technology schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering technology degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $45,477. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Morrison Institute Of Technology earned the #15 position for value in general engineering technology this year. Located in the rural area of Morrison, Morrison Institute Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,422. General Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Engineering Technology graduates of Morrison Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
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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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[General Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
