by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering technologies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technologies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in engineering technologies, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $8,296 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $44,701. That is a strong return on a $8,296 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #2 place for engineering technologies. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schoolcraft College earned it the #3 place for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Alpena Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $60,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $15,000. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $42,813. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $46,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
St Clair County Community College came in at #7 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,212 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Students borrow a median of $16,379 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College landed the #8 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #9 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,834. Engineering Technologies graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $50,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #10 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,609 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $57,910. Set against $11,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University earned the #11 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $19,317 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $71,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Kirtland Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Grayling. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $17,333. Engineering Technologies graduates of Kirtland Community College earn a median of $50,469 early in their careers. Set against $17,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College came in at #13 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $16,960. Engineering Technologies graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University earned the #14 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $112,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #15 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $110,914. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Glen Oaks Community College placed #16 among the best values for engineering technologies. Glen Oaks Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Centreville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $6,624. Students borrow a median of $13,764 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $46,226. That is a strong return on a $13,764 median debt.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #17 for value in engineering technologies this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $28,091. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $50,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University placed #18 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $33,351. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $104,419. That is a strong return on a $33,351 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Bay De Noc Community College came in at #19 for value in engineering technologies this year. Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Escanaba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214, compared with $11,453 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $17,625. Engineering Technologies graduates of Bay De Noc Community College earn a median of $39,075 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt.
Michigan Technological University came in at #20 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,260 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $63,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University earned the #21 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $54,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $30,036. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $64,074. That is a strong return on a $30,036 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #23 for value in engineering technologies this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $30,048. Engineering Technologies graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $61,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,048 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Grand Valley State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $58,781. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Central Michigan University landed the #25 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $29,040 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $76,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering technologies value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.