2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Colorado
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
Leading the list is Red Rocks Community College, our #1 best value for engineering in Colorado. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,471. Engineering graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,384. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,414. Set against $17,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $44,861. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #4 makes Colorado State University Pueblo one of the best values for engineering. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $76,059. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,140. Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $92,556 early in their careers. Set against $25,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College placed #6 among the best values for engineering. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $28,450. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $50,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,974. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $56,557. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Engineering graduates carry a median of $36,983 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $76,336. That is a strong return on a $36,983 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,024 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $77,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #10 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,666 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $89,895 early in their careers. Set against $21,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado School Of Mines placed #11 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,569 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $74,033 early in their careers. Set against $24,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,248 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $65,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
