2027 Best Value General Engineering Science Schools in the Southeast Region

[General Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/general-engineering-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Science Schools
For return on investment in general engineering science, no school beat Coastal Carolina University this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. 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. General Engineering Science graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the best values for general engineering science. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of New Orleans one of the best values for general engineering science. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $23,048. Soon after graduation, general engineering science degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $42,720. Set against $23,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general engineering science schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the general engineering science program here. Early-career general engineering science graduates make about $73,758. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,160. Median earnings reach $51,943 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Washington And Lee University placed #6 among the best values for general engineering science. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Typical student debt for general engineering science graduates is $20,074. General Engineering Science graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.