2027 Best Value General Engineering Science Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/general-engineering-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering science students.
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2027 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Engineering Science Schools
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering science schools in the United States. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the general engineering science program here. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering science will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. General Engineering Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Houston Community College earned it the #3 place for general engineering science. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $17,814. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $61,518. Set against $17,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering science will find it at Mercer County Community College, which ranked #4. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering science will find it at Bristol Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. General Engineering Science graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College earned the #6 position for value in general engineering science this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $35,909. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris landed the #7 spot for general engineering science value this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $9,420. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
North Idaho College placed #8 among the best values for general engineering science. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University landed the #9 spot for general engineering science value this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,506 to complete the general engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. Set against $14,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College placed #10 among the best values for general engineering science. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the general engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Passaic County Community College came in at #11 for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Other General Engineering Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general engineering science schools at other degree levels:
View All General Engineering Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
