2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Montgomery College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in Maryland. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hagerstown Community College one of the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,190 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,126 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $46,478. That is a strong return on a $15,126 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Southern Maryland one of the best values for engineering. College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Engineering graduates of College Of Southern Maryland earn a median of $51,719 early in their careers. Set against $9,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harford Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,624. Engineering graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Howard Community College earned it the #5 place for engineering. Located in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,836. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $56,172. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #6 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,076, with out-of-state students paying around $20,122. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $18,166. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $73,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore admits about 96% of applicants.
Prince Georges Community College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Students from in state pay about $4,034 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,949. Early-career engineering graduates make about $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $21,991. Early-career engineering graduates make about $87,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan State University earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,934. Engineering graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $73,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $62,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Anne Arundel Community College placed #11 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,947. Engineering graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Set against $13,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,269 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $111,238 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,269 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,594 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $75,557. That is a strong return on a $20,594 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Baltimore landed the #14 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,150. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Engineering graduates of Loyola University Baltimore earn a median of $64,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.