2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technologies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
Brazosport College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering technologies schools in Texas. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,507 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $2,976, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Students borrow a median of $10,910 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $63,908. Set against $10,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #5. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College earned the #7 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $5,920. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $34,991. Set against $5,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #8 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,323. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College placed #9 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,916 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $40,554 early in their careers. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,185. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College placed #11 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #12 for value in engineering technologies 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. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $48,040. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Grayson College earned the #13 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District placed #14 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College earned the #15 position for value in engineering technologies this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $8,542. Engineering Technologies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #16 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $33,385. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $78,580. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College earned the #17 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College landed the #18 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,599 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $54,396 early in their careers. Set against $15,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #20 spot for engineering technologies value this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,058. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College earned the #21 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $6,000. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $31,037. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College came in at #22 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,513 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Vernon College generally make around $45,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College landed the #23 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, compared with $5,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $16,734. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,965 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. Set against $15,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #25 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $14,395 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,581. Set against $14,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering technologies:
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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
