2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Henry Ford Community College the best value for a degree in general engineering in Michigan. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $11,813 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,247. Set against $11,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, which ranked #2. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Schoolcraft College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $8,949. General Engineering graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $46,283 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,949 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $25,800. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #6 spot for general engineering value this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $29,053. 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.
Grand Valley State University landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,179. Set against $26,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Andrews University came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Andrews University earn a median of $62,634 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Michigan State University placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $75,058. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Calvin College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $68,852. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,484. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $67,410. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Lawrence Technological University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $74,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence Technological University admits about 56% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
