by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 51 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
South Texas College earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in Texas. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $6,868. General Engineering graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amarillo College earned it the #2 place for general engineering. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $43,183. Set against $15,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Mclennan Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paris Junior College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #7 for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System earned the #8 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
University Of Houston placed #9 among the best values for general engineering. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University placed #10 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #11 among the best values for general engineering. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #12 among the best values for general engineering. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #13 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $21,275. General Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Blinn College earned the #15 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $16,465. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $63,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University landed the #17 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $57,088. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #18 position for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #19 position for value in general engineering this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #20 position for value in general engineering this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $28,028. General Engineering graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $51,876 early in their careers. Set against $28,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Abilene Christian University came in at #21 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $56,463. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor placed #22 among the best values for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,782 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor generally make around $63,830. That is a strong return on a $26,782 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas Christian University came in at #23 for value in general engineering this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $22,944. General Engineering graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $73,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $49,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.