College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for General Engineering

158 Ranked Colleges
11,796 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Engineering Schools

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Engineering Schools” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 11,796 people earned their degree in general engineering, making the major the 79th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $68,873 and had an average of $20,557 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools” ranking analyzed 158 colleges that offered a degree in general engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general engineering program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Engineering Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Engineering Schools” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Engineering Schools

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Engineering Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Engineering

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools” ranking. It costs about $17,013 for engineering students per year to attend UNL.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

2
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Out of the 158 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Technical Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 133 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,767 for engineering students per year to attend Wake Technical Community College.

Full Wake Technical Community College General Engineering Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Engineering Schools. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 64 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Engineering Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for Engineering students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at UW - Madison

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Platteville. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools list. Platteville, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,565 for engineering students per year to attend UW - Platteville.

Read more about General Engineering at University of Wisconsin - Platteville

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Oklahoma Christian University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Engineering Schools. Oklahoma Christian University is a small school located in Edmond, Oklahoma that handed out 60 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,177 for Engineering students per year to attend OC.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at OC

6

Austin Community College District ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools list. Austin Community College District is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 85 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Austin Community College District is $7,224 for engineering students.

Read more about General Engineering at Austin Community College District

7
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools ranking. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Villanova also made our “Best General Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $43,577 for Engineering students per year to attend Villanova University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Villanova General Engineering Report

8

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #8. ASU - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at Arizona State University - Skysong

9
Louisiana Tech crest
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, Louisiana

Louisiana Tech University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools ranking. Louisiana Tech University is a fairly large public school situated in Ruston, Louisiana. It awarded 36 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana Tech is $11,304 for Engineering students.

Read full report on General Engineering at Louisiana Tech University

10

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Akron Main Campus is $17,945 for engineering students.

Read full report on General Engineering at University of Akron Main Campus

11

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #11. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $17,356 for Engineering students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at GVSU

12
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools ranking. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this large public school handed out 106 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UARK also did well on our “Best General Engineering Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Engineering Schools” list. It costs about $16,507 for engineering students per year to attend University of Arkansas.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at University of Arkansas

13

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools list. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 152 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on this list, OHIO Athens is in the top on our “Best General Engineering Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best General Engineering Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for Engineering students.

Read more about General Engineering at Ohio University - Athens Campus

14

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 36 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for Engineering students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato General Engineering Report

15
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

With a ranking of #15, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools list. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 96 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our engineering students list, Purdue has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Engineering Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $13,377 for engineering students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Engineering at Purdue

16
McNeese crest
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, Louisiana

McNeese State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #16. Lake Charles, Louisiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for McNeese State University is $10,759 for Engineering students.

Read full report on General Engineering at McNeese

17
Maritime crest
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Maritime Academy ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools list. Maritime is a small school located in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts that handed out 60 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

Maritime also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Maritime is $21,146 for Engineering students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Engineering at Maritime

18
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas

With a ranking of #18, Lamar University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools list. Lamar University is a public institution located in Beaumont, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Lamar University is $11,739 for engineering students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at Lamar University

19
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools ranking. Mississippi State is a large school located in Mississippi State, Mississippi that handed out 36 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Mississippi State also did well on our “Best General Engineering Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Mississippi State is $16,122 for Engineering students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Engineering at Mississippi State

20
Rowan crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, New Jersey

With a ranking of #20, Rowan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools list. Rowan is a fairly large public school situated in Glassboro, New Jersey. It awarded 70 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $27,158 for engineering students per year to attend Rowan.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Engineering at Rowan

21

Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 7 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $12,225 for engineering students.

Full Youngstown State University General Engineering Report

22
Monroe Community College crest
Monroe Community College
Rochester, New York

With a ranking of #22, Monroe Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools list. Monroe Community College is a medium-sized school located in Rochester, New York that handed out 39 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,891 for Engineering students per year to attend Monroe Community College.

Read full report on General Engineering at Monroe Community College

23
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools ranking. West Virginia University is a large school located in Morgantown, West Virginia that handed out 41 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

WVU excels when it comes to engineering quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $13,355 for engineering students per year to attend WVU.

Read full report on General Engineering at WVU

24

With a ranking of #24, Tennessee Technological University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools list. Tennessee Technological University is a medium-sized school located in Cookeville, Tennessee that handed out 16 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee Technological University is $15,932 for Engineering students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Engineering at Tennessee Tech University

25
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools ranking. Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech is $16,194 for engineering students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Texas Tech University General Engineering Report

Switch to a Similar Major

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options