by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 85 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is South Texas College, our #1 best value for engineering in Texas. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,868. Engineering graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $10,243 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Set against $10,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
El Paso Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $15,375 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $43,183. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
Tarrant County College District earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,148. Engineering graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Mclennan Community College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,598 median debt.
Houston Community College landed the #8 spot for engineering value this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,814. Engineering graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $61,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,814 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,150 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. Set against $14,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Paris Junior College landed the #10 spot for engineering value this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #11 position for value in engineering this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District placed #12 among the best values for engineering. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $63,926. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System placed #14 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College placed #15 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rice University earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $13,398. Engineering graduates of Rice University earn a median of $90,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,398 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #17 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,045. Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $68,455 early in their careers. Set against $17,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,201. Early-career engineering graduates make about $66,867. Set against $25,201 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #19 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $63,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lamar University landed the #20 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $19,464. Early-career engineering graduates make about $83,451. Set against $19,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,528 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $80,874. Set against $20,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #22 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,458. Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $72,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #23 for value in engineering this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $66,863. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,446. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $70,074. Set against $23,446 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas earned the #25 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $76,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.