2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Central New Mexico Community College, our #1 best value for general engineering in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #3. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma City Community College earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $43,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Tulsa Community College landed the #6 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,516. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $16,516 median debt.
Tarrant County College District earned the #7 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,148. General Engineering graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Mclennan Community College landed the #8 spot for general engineering value this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,598. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Paris Junior College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. In-state tuition and fees average $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #11 position for value in general engineering this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $11,376. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Meridian Technology Center earned the #12 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public university. General Engineering graduates of Meridian Technology Center earn a median of $61,765 early in their careers.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center came in at #13 for value in general engineering this year. Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public school located in the town of Shawnee. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $44,822.
Lone Star College System placed #14 among the best values for general engineering. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College came in at #15 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Metro Technology Centers ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Metro Technology Centers is a small public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Metro Technology Centers generally make around $48,236. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #18 among the best values for general engineering. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northeast Technology Center System Office placed #19 among the best values for general engineering. Set in the town of Pryor, Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public institution. General Engineering graduates of Northeast Technology Center System Office earn a median of $35,262 early in their careers.
Rose State College placed #20 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,451 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #21 position for value in general engineering this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #22 position for value in general engineering this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,204. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Arizona State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,113. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $90,032. Set against $26,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #25 position for value in general engineering this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Estrella Mountain Community College generally make around $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value General Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general engineering this year:
Narrow General Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 113 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
