2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the Southeast 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 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pre-engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the Southeast 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
Leading the list is Durham Technical Community College, our #1 best value for pre-engineering in the Southeast Region. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Pre-Engineering graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Johnston Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. 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, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in pre-engineering will find it at Nash Community College, which ranked #4. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $16,969. Pre-Engineering graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Midlands Technical College came in at #6 for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $17,611. 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.
Chattanooga State Community College landed the #7 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #8 for value in pre-engineering this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Gaston College landed the #9 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $10,915. Pre-Engineering graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock placed #10 among the best values for pre-engineering. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,804. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,252 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock generally make around $42,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Community College landed the #11 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $40,450. Set against $6,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #12 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #13 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $16,374. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $11,182 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $12,388. Pre-Engineering graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Catawba Valley Community College earned the #16 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Hickory. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,427, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,842 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $38,219 early in their careers. Set against $9,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith placed #17 among the best values for pre-engineering. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $20,333. Pre-Engineering graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $39,204 early in their careers. Set against $20,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Memphis placed #18 among the best values for pre-engineering. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
