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Engineering Colleges Under $25,000

Programs with net price under $25,000. See our methodology.

Engineering programs beyond the traditional disciplines offer pathways to careers that span from biomedical device manufacturing to environmental systems design. The most affordable option among these specialized programs costs just $4,503 annually at Ohio University's Eastern Campus, while Stanford University provides the same field of study at a net price of $12,136 despite its $62,484 sticker price. This 169% cost difference reflects how financial aid can level the playing field for students pursuing engineering specialties. The field connects directly to emerging sectors where companies like Lockheed Martin, General Electric, and Tesla actively recruit graduates for roles in systems integration, quality assurance, and technical project management. Graduation rates vary significantly across price points, from 12% at some regional campuses to 93% at Stanford, suggesting that institutional support systems play a major role in student success. These programs prepare graduates for positions that often bridge multiple engineering disciplines, making them valuable in industries that require cross-functional technical expertise.
50
Programs
$4,503 – $23,261
Net Price Range
$61,561
Avg. Program Earnings
60.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Engineering, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
2 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
3 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
4 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
5 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
6 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
7 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
8 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
9 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
10 $11,286 $9,875 46.2% 83.0%
11 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
12 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
13 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
14 $12,209 $10,125 57.6% 62.4%
15 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
16 $12,948 $9,401 38.0% 98.8%
17 $12,973 $9,910 32.7% 89.5%
18 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
19 $13,882 $8,578 59.2% 81.7%
20 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
21 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
22 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
23 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
24 $15,501 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%
25 $15,529 $16,400 30.0%
26 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
27 $16,391 $12,687 59.1% 92.6%
28 $16,431 $9,712 45.3% 84.8%
29 $16,928 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
30 $16,931 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
31 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
32 $17,722 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
33 $17,740 $16,896 33.2% 58.9%
34 $17,815 $27,360 58.1% 64.8%
35 $18,109 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
36 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
37 $18,486 $10,408 63.9% 67.9%
38 $18,661 $34,700 46.4% 79.8%
39 $18,701 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
40 $19,472 $7,317 70.7% 68.8%
41 $19,568 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
42 $19,685 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
43 $19,880 $11,770 61.9% 78.1%
44 $20,148 $69,045 95.0% 4.0%
45 $20,413 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
46 $20,566 $36,030 64.1% 45.5%
47 $20,751 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
48 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
49 $22,701 $39,530 55.5% 50.6%
50 $23,261 $19,112 76.4% 87.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the graduation rate differences between similar programs?

Ohio University's regional campuses show graduation rates between 12% and 20%, while major research universities achieve rates above 50%. Campus resources, student support services, and full-time enrollment patterns contribute significantly to these outcomes. Students at smaller campuses often attend part-time while working, which affects completion timelines and success rates.

How does financial aid impact the actual cost at expensive schools?

Stanford demonstrates how generous aid policies work in practice, reducing costs from $62,484 to $12,136 for qualifying students. UC San Diego similarly drops from $15,265 to $11,750 after aid calculations. Private institutions often provide more substantial need-based assistance than their published prices suggest, making them accessible to middle-income families.

Where do Engineering, Other graduates typically find employment?

Graduates earn between $52,107 and $68,379 annually, with Indiana University-Indianapolis graduates at the higher end of this range. Manufacturing companies, consulting firms, and government agencies actively recruit from these programs for roles in systems engineering, quality control, and technical management. The interdisciplinary nature of these degrees makes graduates adaptable to various industry sectors.

Is attending a regional campus worth considering for cost savings?

Ohio University's regional campuses offer net prices below $7,000, making them extremely affordable options for in-state students. However, graduation rates at these locations range from 12% to 20%, requiring careful consideration of support systems and career goals. Students who complete these programs benefit from significantly lower debt loads while accessing the same degree credentials.

Does school selectivity correlate with better career outcomes?

Stanford accepts just 3.68% of applicants and achieves a 93% graduation rate, while more accessible schools like Florida Atlantic (81% acceptance rate) still maintain solid 64% completion rates. The most selective programs often provide stronger alumni networks and research opportunities. However, career success depends heavily on individual performance and local job market conditions regardless of institutional selectivity.

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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.