2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Virginia
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
Patrick Henry Community College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering technologies schools in Virginia. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,235 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $33,358. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wytheville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,542. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $40,973. That is a strong return on a $9,542 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes John Tyler Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $39,204 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Shore Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #6 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,384. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #7 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Set against $10,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #8 for value in engineering technologies this year. Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abingdon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Virginia Highlands Community College generally make around $33,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rappahannock Community College landed the #9 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,398. Set against $8,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #10 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College placed #11 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,132. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $60,183. Set against $13,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College placed #12 among the best values for engineering technologies. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,999. Engineering Technologies graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #13 for value in engineering technologies this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $7,467 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $29,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College placed #14 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Danville Community College earned the #15 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $7,999. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $56,434. That is a strong return on a $7,999 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #16 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $36,758. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $36,988. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #18 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,798. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,126. Set against $9,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College landed the #19 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $13,020 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $53,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,020 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #20 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,768 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #21 among the best values for engineering technologies. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Old Dominion University earned the #22 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $70,620. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University placed #23 among the best values for engineering technologies. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $54,971. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia State University came in at #24 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $65,472. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ecpi University placed #25 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Ecpi University is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,484. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $33,868. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Ecpi University generally make around $62,796. Set against $33,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ecpi University admits about 74% 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. 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 · 35 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
