by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 491 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
United States Merchant Marine Academy tops our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $895 in tuition and fees. Early-career engineering graduates make about $69,847. United States Merchant Marine Academy admits about 34% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,423 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $70,476. Set against $17,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,925. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $71,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Princeton University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $94,007 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,748 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $78,511. Set against $20,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $18,096 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $49,043 early in their careers. Set against $18,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $66,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Northridge earned the #8 position for value in engineering this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $66,627. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,563 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $85,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $10,243 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $49,755. Set against $10,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #12 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,289 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $69,954. Set against $21,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #14 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,150. Early-career engineering graduates make about $52,388. That is a strong return on a $14,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Snow College earned the #15 position for value in engineering this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $60,941. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #17 among the best values for engineering. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,768 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $71,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Daytona State College earned the #18 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,320. That is a strong return on a $14,227 median debt.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #19 position for value in engineering this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,656 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,947. That is a strong return on a $27,656 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands earned the #20 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,997. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $44,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #21 for value in engineering this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,103. Engineering graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $71,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,103 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #22 spot for engineering value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,347. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $69,227. That is a strong return on a $20,347 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Murray State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $19,521. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $58,025. Set against $19,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University earned the #24 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,140 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $79,878. Set against $26,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos placed #25 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,527 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
These schools also placed among the best values for engineering this year:
Also worth considering for value in engineering:
Explore the best-value engineering schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 491 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 491 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
