Engineering Science Colleges Under $25,000

Engineering Science programs across the nation show remarkable cost variation, with California State University-Bakersfield offering degrees at just $5,825 net cost while UC San Diego delivers top-tier education at $11,750. The 20 most affordable programs span from $5,825 to $17,478, proving that quality engineering education remains accessible nationwide. Graduates typically earn between $48,041 and $56,415 annually, entering a field where the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth through 2032. The aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy sectors continue driving demand for engineering science professionals who can bridge traditional engineering disciplines with emerging technologies. Public universities dominate this affordable market, with institutions like UC Berkeley and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offering sub-$15,000 net costs despite their competitive admission rates of 11.33% and 17.69% respectively. These programs prepare students for careers in research and development, where interdisciplinary problem-solving skills command premium salaries in tech hubs from Silicon Valley to the Research Triangle.

Programs

$5,825 – $24,842

Net Price Range

$58,695

Avg. Program Earnings

63.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

41 Engineering Science Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Bakersfield Bakersfield, California	$5,825	$7,696	49.3%	86.6%
2	Millikin University Decatur, Illinois	$8,837	$26,892	59.1%	75.4%
3	Southern Utah University Cedar City, Utah	$11,432	$6,770	59.0%	83.9%
4	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
5	University of Michigan-Flint Flint, Michigan	$12,280	$14,014	44.6%	66.4%
6	Shepherd University Shepherdstown, West Virginia	$12,391	$8,642	49.5%	95.9%
7	Lincoln University Lincoln University, Pennsylvania	$12,912	$12,512	52.1%	80.6%
8	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, Arizona	$13,670	$12,051	67.8%	89.8%
9	Coastal Carolina University Conway, South Carolina	$13,742	$11,640	50.8%	78.6%
10	Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, California	$13,801	$8,190	60.5%	94.0%
11	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, Michigan	$14,832	$17,228	93.2%	17.7%
12	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
13	Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton, Ohio	$15,216	$11,188	45.9%	95.2%
14	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$15,624	$11,075	85.2%	30.4%
15	New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, New Jersey	$16,496	$19,022	73.1%	66.0%
16	University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Bradford, Pennsylvania	$16,630	$14,620	43.4%	93.6%
17	Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts	$16,816	$59,076	97.3%	3.2%
18	Siena Heights University Adrian, Michigan	$17,185	$29,778	51.1%	65.0%
19	Bluffton University Bluffton, Ohio	$17,430	$36,298	49.5%	96.3%
20	University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, New Mexico	$17,478	$8,115	52.5%	96.1%
21	Bob Jones University Greenville, South Carolina	$17,529	$23,400	69.6%
22	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680	$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
23	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
24	Wheeling University Wheeling, West Virginia	$19,040	$29,475	32.0%	72.7%
25	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040	$63,946	92.7%	6.7%
26	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
27	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, Louisiana	$20,015	$11,954	71.0%	75.7%
28	Muskingum University New Concord, Ohio	$20,204	$31,440	52.7%	86.4%
29	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado	$20,332	$12,896	66.9%	90.8%
30	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893	$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
31	St. Mary's University San Antonio, Texas	$21,352	$36,242	58.8%	86.2%
32	Hanover College Hanover, Indiana	$21,826	$42,894	63.6%	74.1%
33	Wartburg College Waverly, Iowa	$22,604	$51,040	66.8%	97.5%
34	Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar, Virginia	$23,383	$25,110	48.1%	75.8%
35	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey	$23,519	$17,239	85.0%	66.3%
36	Benedictine University Lisle, Illinois	$23,529	$34,290	51.0%	93.1%
37	Trinity University San Antonio, Texas	$23,650	$51,352	81.9%	30.5%
38	Goucher College Baltimore, Maryland	$23,774	$51,250	60.0%	80.2%
39	Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia	$23,911	$64,525	94.9%	17.0%
40	Alma College Alma, Michigan	$24,663	$47,430	63.7%	64.7%
41	Carroll College Helena, Montana	$24,842	$40,352	66.3%	78.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UC San Diego and UC Berkeley such bargains at under $15,000 net cost?

UC San Diego costs $11,750 net with an 87.60% graduation rate, while UC Berkeley comes in at $14,979 with a 92.90% completion rate. Both schools maintain highly selective admission standards at 23.71% and 11.33% acceptance rates respectively. California's solid state funding and need-based aid programs help keep costs manageable for in-state students at these top-tier research universities. The combination of top-tier faculty, modern facilities, and strong industry connections in Silicon Valley creates strong value propositions.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Engineering Science?

Higher-cost programs generally show stronger graduation rates, with UC Berkeley leading at 92.90% and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor at 93.20%. Mid-range programs like Arizona State University achieve 67.80% graduation rates at $13,670 net cost. Lower-cost options like California State University-Bakersfield show 49.30% completion rates at $5,825 net cost. The pattern suggests that more selective, better-funded programs provide additional student support services that improve retention and completion outcomes.

Is there a significant earning difference between the most and least expensive programs?

Early-career earnings show relatively modest variation despite large cost differences between programs. California State University-Bakersfield graduates earn $48,041 annually while paying just $5,825 net cost, creating strong return on investment. Higher-cost programs don't necessarily translate to proportionally higher starting salaries, with the range spanning only $8,374 from lowest to highest. This suggests that Engineering Science fundamentals remain consistent across institutions, with employer demand focused more on skills than school prestige.

Does acceptance rate indicate program difficulty or selectivity?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically from UC Berkeley's ultra-selective 11.33% to Shepherd University's open 95.86% admission rate. University of California schools and University of Michigan represent the most competitive programs with acceptance rates below 25%. Mid-tier state universities like Arizona State University maintain moderate selectivity at 89.75% while delivering solid 67.80% graduation rates. The wide range suggests different institutional missions, from elite research universities to regional access-focused schools.

Where do the most affordable Engineering Science programs cluster geographically?

California dominates the affordable category with four universities, including the lowest-cost option at CSU-Bakersfield and well-known UC Berkeley. Public universities in traditional manufacturing states like Michigan offer strong value through established industry partnerships. Western states show particularly strong representation with programs in Utah, Arizona, and California benefiting from growing tech and aerospace sectors. The geographic distribution reflects regional economic needs and state funding priorities for STEM education.

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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.