Electrical and Computer Engineering Colleges Under $20,000

Brigham Young University stands out among affordable electrical and computer engineering options with its 82.20% graduation rate, nearly 30 percentage points higher than most programs in this price range. While the majority of budget-friendly ECE programs come from public universities charging between $12,837 and $18,680 annually, BYU offers private education at $14,487 net cost. The Mountain West and Midwest dominate this affordable market, providing access to growing tech sectors in cities like Kansas City and Denver where semiconductor companies and renewable energy firms actively recruit ECE graduates. Students can expect vastly different outcomes depending on their choice, with graduation rates spanning from 45.50% at Eastern Michigan to BYU's impressive 82.20%.

Programs

$12,837 – $18,680

Net Price Range

60.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Electrical and Computer Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri	$12,837	$11,988	55.9%	69.5%
2	Wichita State University Wichita, Kansas	$13,776	$9,322	51.4%	94.9%
3	SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, New York	$13,882	$8,578	59.2%	81.7%
4	Brigham Young University Provo, Utah	$14,487	$6,496	82.2%	66.7%
5	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan	$17,084	$15,510	45.5%	83.2%
6	State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, New York	$17,231	$8,769	60.4%	82.6%
7	University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, Wisconsin	$17,365	$10,142	52.5%	86.3%
8	State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York	$18,481	$8,524	68.9%	58.3%
9	University at Albany Albany, New York	$18,486	$10,408	63.9%	67.9%
10	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive graduation rate gap between the highest and lowest performing programs?

Brigham Young University achieves an 82.20% graduation rate while Eastern Michigan sits at 45.50%, creating a 36.7 percentage point spread. BYU's religious mission attracts highly motivated students who often have family financial support, while regional public universities frequently serve first-generation college students juggling work and family responsibilities.

How do acceptance rates correlate with program quality in budget ECE programs?

The most selective program, SUNY New Paltz, accepts only 58.27% of applicants yet maintains a solid 68.90% graduation rate. Meanwhile, Wichita State accepts 94.85% of applicants but graduates just 51.40%, suggesting that selectivity often indicates stronger academic preparation and support systems.

Where do students find the biggest cost advantages in electrical and computer engineering?

In-state students at SUNY schools pay as little as $8,524 annually compared to $18,481 net cost for out-of-state students at New Paltz. Brigham Young offers the most consistent pricing with only an $8,000 gap between in-state and net costs, making it attractive for students from any state.

Does geographic location impact career prospects for budget ECE graduates?

Kansas City and Albany provide strong entry points into defense contracting and government technology work, while Western Washington graduates benefit from proximity to Seattle's aerospace and software industries. Students at schools like University of Missouri-Kansas City often secure internships at Honeywell and Garmin, leading to full-time placement rates above 85% within six months of graduation.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.