2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Indiana

[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Indiana State University the best value for a degree in engineering in Indiana. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,582. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #2 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for engineering. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Northwest earned it the #3 place for engineering. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $74,038. That is a strong return on a $27,656 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,445 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $86,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,445 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Vincennes University came in at #6 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,542. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #8 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $80,601. Set against $26,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,550. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $66,973. Set against $17,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Valparaiso University placed #10 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,501. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Evansville landed the #11 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,172. Students borrow a median of $25,010 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of $66,553 early in their careers. Set against $25,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Hanover College landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,698. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $35,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,896 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,750 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $77,456. Set against $32,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $31,361. Engineering graduates carry a median of $32,750 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology earn a median of $77,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,750 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. In-state tuition and fees average $40,490. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $21,832. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $45,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Taylor University admits about 74% of applicants.
Trine University earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,560 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $67,527. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #17 spot for engineering value this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,258. Early-career engineering graduates make about $79,401. That is a strong return on a $20,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,046. Students borrow a median of $24,775 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $81,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rose Hulman Institute Of Technology admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.