2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools
[Pre-Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/pre-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value pre-engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Pre-Engineering School for You
The right pre-engineering school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pre-engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among pre-engineering schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Ana College earned it the #2 place for pre-engineering. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #3 place for pre-engineering. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in pre-engineering will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #5. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $10,288. Pre-Engineering graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College placed #8 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College landed the #9 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Durham Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for pre-engineering. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #11 for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $11,306. Pre-Engineering graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Hartnell College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #13 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College earned the #14 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College placed #15 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $12,275. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #16 spot for pre-engineering value this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #17 for value in pre-engineering this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $44,198. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College came in at #18 for value in pre-engineering this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #20 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $9,191. Pre-Engineering graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #21 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $5,707. Pre-Engineering graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #22 for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College Fresno earned the #23 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #24 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $11,750. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College came in at #25 for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in pre-engineering:
Narrow Pre-Engineering Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Pre-Engineering. See all related rankings.
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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 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.
