2027 Best Value General Engineering Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/general-engineering-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general engineering science schools.
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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
Vanderbilt University earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering science schools in the United States. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $81,126. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the general engineering science program here. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering science, landing the #3 spot this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the general engineering science program here. General Engineering Science graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $64,405 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sweet Briar College earned it the #5 place for general engineering science. Set in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,160. Median earnings reach $51,943 ten years out. Sweet Briar College admits about 76% of applicants.
Harvard University earned the #6 position for value in general engineering science this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. 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. Set against $20,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Yale University came in at #8 for value in general engineering science this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the general engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $73,378. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Trinity University placed #9 among the best values for general engineering science. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,676. 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. Set against $21,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #10 for value in general engineering science this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. General Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $69,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Smith College came in at #11 for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the general engineering science program here. General Engineering Science graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Dartmouth College earned the #12 position for value in general engineering science this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Students borrow a median of $17,083 to complete the general engineering science program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $89,929. That is a strong return on a $17,083 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for general engineering science value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general engineering science program here. General Engineering Science graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $79,909 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College came in at #14 for value in general engineering science this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the general engineering science program here. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $46,918. Set against $26,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
