2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
[Pre-Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/pre-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for pre-engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the Southwest 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 Central New Mexico Community College, our #1 best value for pre-engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $10,112. Pre-Engineering graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma City Community College earned it the #2 place for pre-engineering. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $39,848. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in pre-engineering will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #3. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,516 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $41,718. Set against $16,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Technology Center came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Drumright, Central Technology Center is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,351.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center earned the #6 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,311.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College came in at #8 for value in pre-engineering this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Mesa Community College earned the #9 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Pre-Engineering graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Technology Center System Office came in at #10 for value in pre-engineering this year. Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public school located in the town of Pryor. Pre-Engineering graduates of Northeast Technology Center System Office earn a median of $35,262 early in their careers.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #11 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $21,752. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #12 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 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.
