2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pre-engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Our analysis ranked Monroe Community College the best value for a degree in pre-engineering in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $9,185. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. Set against $9,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #2 place for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orange County Community College earned it the #3 place for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,152 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $43,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Hudson Valley Community College one of the best values for pre-engineering. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $9,000. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $43,989. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Erie Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #7 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $37,141. Set against $12,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #8 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Broome Community College earned the #9 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,830 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $41,560. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.
Rockland Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $41,799. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gloucester County College placed #11 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $38,274. Set against $13,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Finger Lakes Community College landed the #12 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Set in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,258, with out-of-state students paying around $8,442. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $40,467. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
