2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Bunker Hill Community College the best value for a degree in general engineering in the New England Region. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Holyoke Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,907 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Shore Community College earned it the #3 place for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,145. General Engineering graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $51,255 early in their careers. Set against $14,145 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Springfield Technical Community College, which ranked #4. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $9,707. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $42,457. That is a strong return on a $9,707 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massasoit Community College earned it the #5 place for general engineering. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $10,894. General Engineering graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $42,938 early in their careers. Set against $10,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #6 spot for general engineering value this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,036 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $46,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Olin College came in at #7 for value in general engineering this year. Olin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Needham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,742. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $14,512. General Engineering graduates of Olin College earn a median of $109,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,512 median debt. The acceptance rate is 25%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #8 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut landed the #9 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $102,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Brown University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Brown University earn a median of $86,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy came in at #11 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,420, with out-of-state students paying around $23,722. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $25,884. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Maritime Academy generally make around $77,139. Set against $25,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Maritime Academy admits about 95% of applicants.
Dartmouth College landed the #12 spot for general engineering value this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Northeastern University placed #13 among the best values for general engineering. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $89,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Wentworth Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Boston, Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,884. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $78,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Trinity College landed the #15 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,667. General Engineering graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $52,927 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,667 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
