2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in the New England Region
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
Community College Of Rhode Island tops our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,680. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Bunker Hill Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,893. Early-career engineering graduates make about $51,782. That is a strong return on a $11,893 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Bristol Community College, which ranked #3. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,134. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Shore Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,145 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $51,255. That is a strong return on a $14,145 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Springfield Technical Community College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $42,457 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,707 median debt.
Holyoke Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,907. Engineering graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,907 median debt.
Massasoit Community College placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,894 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,938. Set against $10,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harvard University placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $177,890. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Capital Community College earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,214 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $118,743. Set against $14,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,036 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $46,631. That is a strong return on a $16,036 median debt.
Olin College came in at #12 for value in engineering this year. Olin College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Needham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,742. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,512 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $108,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 25%.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #13 spot for engineering value this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,771 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #14 among the best values for engineering. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $84,063 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #15 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,874. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $82,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Engineering graduates carry a median of $35,731 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,390. Set against $35,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $25,441 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $72,979 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,441 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Maine earned the #18 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,815 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $69,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut earned the #19 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,001. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $77,031. Set against $24,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Maine Maritime Academy came in at #20 for value in engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $15,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,102 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $108,130. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Maine Maritime Academy admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Vermont landed the #21 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,120. Early-career engineering graduates make about $61,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #22 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,800 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,106. Set against $27,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #23 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,000. Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $75,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University landed the #24 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $85,919. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #25 for value in engineering this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Students borrow a median of $25,894 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $72,113. That is a strong return on a $25,894 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering this year:
Narrow Engineering Schools by State
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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
