2027 Best Value Engineering Science Associate’s Degree Schools
[Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering science schools.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Science Schools
Leading the list is Raritan Valley Community College, our #1 best value for engineering science in the United States. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $9,668. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering science, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Engineering Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering science will find it at Houston Community College, which ranked #3. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,814 to complete the engineering science program here. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $61,518. Set against $17,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering science, landing the #4 spot this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #5 place for engineering science. 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. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $9,482. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $37,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College came in at #6 for value in 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, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the engineering science program here. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $35,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris came in at #7 for value in engineering science this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Idaho College landed the #8 spot for engineering science value this year. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, engineering science degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University landed the #9 spot for engineering science value this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Engineering Science graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $45,976. Set against $14,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College placed #10 among the best values for engineering science. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for engineering science graduates is $12,059. Engineering Science graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Passaic County Community College earned the #11 position for value in engineering science this year. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the engineering science program here. Early-career engineering science graduates make about $28,957. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Other Engineering Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Engineering Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Engineering Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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.
