by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in Illinois. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,149. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,236. Engineering graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $41,080 early in their careers. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Mchenry County College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
College Of Dupage is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Elgin Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,785. Early-career engineering graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,533. Engineering graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $7,500. Engineering graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,168. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #11 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,586. Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $75,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,586 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Harper College earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,628. Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $89,042 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Illinois Central College placed #14 among the best values for engineering. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $53,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Chicago came in at #15 for value in engineering this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University landed the #16 spot for engineering value this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $24,698 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $74,997. That is a strong return on a $24,698 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #17 position for value in engineering this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,933. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $66,646. Set against $20,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #18 among the best values for engineering. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,142 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $68,853 early in their careers. Set against $23,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
North Park University earned the #19 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Engineering graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #20 spot for engineering value this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,201 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $74,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $66,394. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College placed #22 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Engineering graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Set against $25,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,978. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $73,106. Set against $26,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois came in at #24 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $54,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University earned the #25 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,567. Early-career engineering graduates make about $88,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.