by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 790 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat California State University Bakersfield this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $48,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Daytona State College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $43,320. Set against $14,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. General Engineering graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for general engineering. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #6 among the best values for general engineering. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Mcneese State University came in at #7 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,489, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,249 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $75,566. Set against $27,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #8 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,113. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $74,328. Set against $26,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Carolina University placed #10 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,550 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $62,244. That is a strong return on a $25,550 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #11 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,076, while out-of-state students pay about $20,122. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $73,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #12 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #13 for value in general engineering this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $31,000. General Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $73,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #14 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. In-state tuition and fees average $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $41,723. That is a strong return on a $20,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #16 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,518 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $71,769 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Frostburg State University placed #17 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,750. General Engineering graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $62,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
East Carolina University earned the #18 position for value in general engineering this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,978. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $65,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Swarthmore College landed the #19 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Stony Brook University placed #20 among the best values for general engineering. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $55,437 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Andrews University landed the #21 spot for general engineering value this year. Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berrien Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
Olin College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Needham, Olin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $63,742 in tuition and fees. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Olin College generally make around $109,455. That is a strong return on a $14,512 median debt. The acceptance rate is 25%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,486. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,049. Set against $26,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Houston Baptist University earned the #24 position for value in general engineering this year. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $25,601. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $57,088. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $68,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Engineering rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 790 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.