by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Essex County College tops our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools in New Jersey. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,514. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hudson County Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Engineering graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $35,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Mercer County Community College one of the best values for engineering. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,668. Early-career engineering graduates make about $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $8,508 median debt.
County College Of Morris placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
Brookdale Community College landed the #8 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Princeton University placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,888. Engineering graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $93,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $37,141 early in their careers. Set against $12,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College placed #11 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. Set against $13,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gloucester County College placed #12 among the best values for engineering. Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Sewell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,236. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $38,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #13 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $54,505. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #14 spot for engineering value this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, with out-of-state students paying around $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,233 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $78,155. Set against $24,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,242 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $73,075 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,242 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,542 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $78,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,198 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $73,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,841. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $95,004. That is a strong return on a $26,841 median debt. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
