2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 192 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering technologies schools.
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2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technologies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
Leading the list is Brazosport College, our #1 best value for engineering technologies in the Southwest Region. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #2 spot this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $59,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #3. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Victoria College earned it the #5 place for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,976, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,910. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $63,908. Set against $10,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College placed #6 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $6,868. Engineering Technologies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College earned the #7 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange earned the #8 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $18,506. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Del Mar College came in at #9 for value in engineering technologies this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $5,920. Engineering Technologies graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $34,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #10 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College earned the #11 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Students borrow a median of $11,082 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,082 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College earned the #12 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Students borrow a median of $10,916 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $40,554. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College came in at #14 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,635. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College placed #15 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern New Mexico College placed #16 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,112.
Midland College placed #17 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,000. Engineering Technologies graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #18 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $48,040. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College earned the #20 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #21 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College earned the #22 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Tarrant County College District came in at #23 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Palo Alto College landed the #25 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $29,062. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering technologies value ranking:
Narrow Engineering Technologies Schools by State
More Engineering Technologies Rankings
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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 · 192 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
