2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technologies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
Our analysis ranked Moraine Valley Community College the best value for a degree in engineering technologies in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $7,769. Engineering Technologies graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,533. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $8,099. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $60,223. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Kankakee Community College placed #6 among the best values for engineering technologies. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College placed #7 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #8 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College placed #9 among the best values for engineering technologies. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage earned the #10 position for value in engineering technologies this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College earned the #11 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Oakton Community College landed the #12 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College placed #14 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rend Lake College earned the #15 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $8,688. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $42,770. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
Parkland College landed the #16 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public school located in the town of Olney. Students from in state pay about $5,260 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $38,331. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College placed #18 among the best values for engineering technologies. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $13,110. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Illinois University came in at #19 for value in engineering technologies 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 technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $64,762. That is a strong return on a $32,373 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #20 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $27,274 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $72,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $23,000. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $54,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #22 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $20,778. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $21,134 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $70,215 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University came in at #24 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $58,865. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #25 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $72,164. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering technologies this year:
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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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 Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
