2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
For return on investment in general engineering, no school beat Henry Ford Community College this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,813 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #5 place for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College landed the #6 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,949 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,283. That is a strong return on a $8,949 median debt.
Harper College landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #9 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,192 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $9,192 median debt.
College Of Lake County placed #10 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #11 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Rock Valley College placed #13 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Mchenry County College landed the #14 spot for general engineering value this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Central College came in at #15 for value in general engineering this year. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $53,190. Set against $12,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Owens Community College came in at #17 for value in general engineering this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #19 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,119. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $49,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #20 for value in general engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #21 among the best values for general engineering. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #23 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,677. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $96,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #24 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $112,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #25 among the best values for general engineering. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value General Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general engineering:
Narrow General Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 129 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.
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
