2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in New York
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
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,691. Early-career engineering graduates make about $99,947. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,925 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,412. That is a strong return on a $15,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,246. Engineering graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queensborough Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,518. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
United States Merchant Marine Academy earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. Students from in state pay about $895 in tuition and fees. Early-career engineering graduates make about $69,847. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Monroe Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,185 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #9 for value in engineering this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,688. Engineering graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $60,167 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Erie Community College placed #11 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,580. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Orange County Community College landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,152 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $43,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College came in at #13 for value in engineering this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Students borrow a median of $12,623 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $35,781. That is a strong return on a $12,623 median debt.
Broome Community College came in at #14 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,750. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,560. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #15 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College placed #16 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,900 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,373. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.
Rockland Community College came in at #17 for value in engineering this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,167. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art placed #18 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,805. Engineering graduates of Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earn a median of $16,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #19 for value in engineering this year. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $21,199. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome generally make around $63,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Jefferson Community College landed the #20 spot for engineering value this year. Jefferson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Watertown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,264, while out-of-state students pay about $11,700. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,804 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $35,033. Set against $14,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Finger Lakes Community College came in at #21 for value in engineering this year. Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Canandaigua. In-state tuition and fees average $6,258, while out-of-state students pay about $8,442. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Finger Lakes Community College generally make around $40,467. Set against $16,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stony Brook University earned the #22 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $18,961. Engineering graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $74,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,961 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany placed #23 among the best values for engineering. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #24 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,174. Engineering graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $71,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,174 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #25 for value in engineering this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,692. Early-career engineering graduates make about $93,742. Set against $12,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering this year:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
