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Engineering Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Ohio University operates five regional campuses that deliver engineering education at remarkably low costs, with net prices ranging from $4,503 to $6,483. These satellite locations produce graduation rates between 12.1% and 20%, reflecting their open-access mission and part-time student populations who often balance work with studies. California State Universities claim three spots on this affordable list, led by Cal State LA at just $4,113 net cost and an 86.94% acceptance rate. Engineering graduates from programs like Marshall University earn median salaries of $57,318, making the debt-to-income ratio favorable even at community college transfer points. The manufacturing corridor spanning Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana creates steady demand for engineering technicians and entry-level engineers, particularly in automotive, steel, and energy sectors. Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh serves North Carolina's Research Triangle, where technology companies recruit associate degree holders for technical roles. College of the Ozarks stands out as the sole private institution, using its work-study model to achieve a $7,669 net price despite a $21,290 sticker cost.
50
Programs
$4,113 – $13,707
Net Price Range
$62,806
Avg. Program Earnings
50.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Engineering, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
2 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
3 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
4 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
5 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
6 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
7 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
8 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
9 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
10 $6,935 $2,336 31.4%
11 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
12 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
13 $8,245 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
14 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
15 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
16 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
17 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
18 $9,034 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
19 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
20 $9,424 $6,110 42.1%
21 $10,191 $9,049 33.5% 96.2%
22 $10,299 $10,208 54.8% 88.4%
23 $10,409 $11,720 15.1%
24 $10,555 $59,710 97.1% 5.7%
25 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
26 $10,896 $37,300 56.0% 87.5%
27 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
28 $11,257 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
29 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
30 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
31 $11,432 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
32 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
33 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
34 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
35 $11,729 $10,920 46.3% 85.4%
36 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
37 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
38 $12,579 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
39 $12,621 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
40 $12,817 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
41 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
42 $12,865 $7,461 55.0% 74.3%
43 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
44 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
45 $13,085 $7,754 55.1% 69.5%
46 $13,164 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
47 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
48 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
49 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
50 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Ohio University's dominance on this affordable engineering list?

Ohio University operates five regional campuses that appear on this list, with net costs between $4,503 and $6,483. These branch campuses serve working adults and commuter students in smaller Ohio communities. Their low graduation rates, ranging from 12.1% to 20%, reflect open enrollment policies and flexible scheduling that accommodates part-time study. The campuses function as accessible entry points into engineering fields for students who cannot relocate to main university centers.

How do California State University costs compare across engineering programs?

Three Cal State campuses make this list with net costs from $4,113 to $7,599, showing significant variation within the same system. Cal State LA offers the lowest net price at $4,113 with a strong 52.6% graduation rate. Fresno accepts 95.43% of applicants while maintaining a 54.8% graduation rate. Fullerton sits in the middle at $5,646 net cost but achieves the highest graduation rate at 69.2%, suggesting more selective admission standards.

Is College of the Ozarks actually affordable despite its private status?

College of the Ozarks achieves a $7,669 net price through its mandatory work-study program, where students work campus jobs to offset the $21,290 published cost. The school accepts only 21.13% of applicants but graduates 61.3% of students who enroll. This makes it more selective than public alternatives while remaining cost-competitive. Students essentially trade labor for tuition reduction, making private education accessible without traditional financial aid.

What career outcomes can engineering graduates expect from these programs?

Available earnings data shows Marshall University engineering graduates earning $57,318 median salary with $26,500 in debt, creating a manageable 2.2 debt-to-income ratio. College of Staten Island graduates earn $56,776, demonstrating similar outcomes across different regions. These figures reflect entry-level engineering positions in manufacturing, utilities, and technical services. The consistent earnings across geographic areas suggest national demand for engineering skills remains strong regardless of program location.

Does attending a community college limit engineering career prospects?

Wake Technical Community College appears on this list with a $6,935 net cost and 31.4% graduation rate, serving North Carolina's Research Triangle region. Community colleges typically offer engineering technology programs rather than full engineering degrees. Graduates often work as technicians, drafters, or quality control specialists earning competitive salaries. Many students use these programs as stepping stones to four-year engineering degrees, taking advantage of transfer agreements with state universities.

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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.