2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Colorado
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general engineering students.
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2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Red Rocks Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in Colorado. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Front Range Community College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $17,384. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $40,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned it the #3 place for general engineering. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,559. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $114,220. Set against $23,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado Denver earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,582. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $66,022. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Students borrow a median of $28,450 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $50,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $22,843. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $93,602. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $115,924 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines earned the #8 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $24,521. General Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,521 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
