by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering technologies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering technologies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technologies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Victoria College, our #1 best value for engineering technologies in Texas. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,976, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,910 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $63,908. That is a strong return on a $10,910 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #2 place for engineering technologies. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,507 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $59,368 early in their careers. Set against $11,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering technologies will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $5,920 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar State College Orange earned it the #4 place for engineering technologies. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $18,506. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #5 place for engineering technologies. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur placed #6 among the best values for engineering technologies. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. In-state tuition and fees average $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $33,385. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College landed the #7 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,000. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brazosport College placed #8 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
St Philips College earned the #9 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $15,653. Engineering Technologies graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Tarrant County College District placed #10 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. 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. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College placed #11 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Students borrow a median of $10,916 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $40,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College placed #12 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $54,396. That is a strong return on a $15,599 median debt.
Western Texas College came in at #13 for value in engineering technologies this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #14 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $14,694. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
El Paso Community College landed the #15 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #16 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $47,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,941. Engineering Technologies graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. 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.
Kilgore College landed the #19 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $16,734. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $44,322. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #20 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,395 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $45,570 early in their careers. Set against $14,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College landed the #21 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College came in at #22 for value in engineering technologies this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,598. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College landed the #23 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
Grayson College came in at #24 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, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. 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.
North Central Texas College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $15,965. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. That is a strong return on a $15,965 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering technologies:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 77 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.