2027 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Structural Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/structural-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for structural engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Structural Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in structural engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Structural Engineering Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value structural engineering schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $73,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #2 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for structural engineering. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $26,000. Structural Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $74,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in structural engineering will find it at Western Michigan University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $29,156. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $69,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in structural engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $68,031. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for structural engineering. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for structural engineering graduates is $26,000. Early-career structural engineering graduates make about $75,829. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in structural engineering this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,046 in tuition and fees. Structural Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, structural engineering degree recipients from Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.