by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 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.
Our analysis ranked Salt Lake Community College the best value for a degree in engineering in Utah. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,855. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,440. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #3. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,563. Early-career engineering graduates make about $85,312. That is a strong return on a $14,563 median debt.
Western Governors University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
Weber State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $69,537 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Utah State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,255. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $73,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Utah placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $23,134 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $80,216. That is a strong return on a $23,134 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,742 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $76,357. That is a strong return on a $10,742 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #10 among the best values for engineering. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,666 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,266. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.