2027 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools
[General Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/general-engineering-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general engineering science schools.
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Finding the Best Value General Engineering Science School for You
The right general engineering science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value General Engineering Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Engineering Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Science Schools
Leading the list is Raritan Valley Community College, our #1 best value for general engineering science in the United States. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $9,668. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for general engineering science. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $9,514. General Engineering Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Houston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $17,814. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $61,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for general engineering science. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Bristol Community College came in at #6 for value in general engineering science this year. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $9,482 to complete the general engineering science program here. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $37,897. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.
Hudson County Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the general engineering science program here. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $35,909. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
County College Of Morris placed #8 among the best values for general engineering science. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $9,420. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Idaho College placed #9 among the best values for general engineering science. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. In-state tuition and fees average $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $14,688. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $49,489. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt.
Vincennes University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt.
Vanderbilt University came in at #11 for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $15,000. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $81,126. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Capital Community College placed #12 among the best values for general engineering science. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College placed #13 among the best values for general engineering science. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $28,957. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #14 spot for general engineering science value this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $38,272. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #15 position for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $19,273. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $23,048. General Engineering Science graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $22,444. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $73,758. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #18 spot for general engineering science value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $64,405. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo landed the #19 spot for general engineering science value this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Harvard University placed #20 among the best values for general engineering science. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Sweet Briar College placed #21 among the best values for general engineering science. Set in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,160 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,943. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Washington And Lee University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $68,045 in tuition and fees. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $20,074 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,074 median debt. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Yale University earned the #23 position for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Yale University earn a median of $73,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Trinity University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,676 in tuition and fees. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $21,249 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Trinity University earn a median of $74,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #25 for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $69,336 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering science this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
