2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in Mississippi
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
For return on investment in engineering, no school beat Hinds Community College this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,385. Engineering graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Copiah Lincoln Community College one of the best values for engineering. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at East Mississippi Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Engineering graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Itawamba Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Holmes Community College one of the best values for engineering. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,191. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #6 for value in engineering this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #7 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,740. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Set against $9,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $26,454 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $64,888. Set against $26,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #9 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Mississippi State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $76,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
