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Engineering Technology Colleges Under $25,000

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

Berea College stands out as the most affordable option for Engineering Technology students nationwide at $4,483 net cost, despite being a private institution that typically charges much more. This Kentucky school offers need-based aid that makes it cheaper than most public universities in the field. The earnings gap among these programs tells an interesting story, with Eastern New Mexico University graduates earning $97,959 compared to Berea's $26,353. Engineering Technology programs prepare students for hands-on technical roles in manufacturing, telecommunications, and infrastructure development across the country. The American manufacturing sector employs over 12 million workers, with many requiring the practical skills these programs provide. Public universities dominate this list, with schools like California State University-Long Beach achieving a 69.9% graduation rate while maintaining costs under $9,000. Regional economic factors play a major role in both program costs and graduate earnings, as seen in the wide range from $4,483 to $12,188 in net costs.
50
Programs
$4,483 – $17,365
Net Price Range
$56,061
Avg. Program Earnings
49.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Engineering Technology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
2 $4,971 $4,226 45.5%
3 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
4 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
5 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
6 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
7 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
8 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
9 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
10 $9,957 $8,064 36.1% 64.6%
11 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
12 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
13 $11,024 $11,990 54.0% 95.7%
14 $11,257 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
15 $11,432 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
16 $11,480 $7,272 37.1%
17 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
18 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
19 $12,174 $8,373 44.8% 99.0%
20 $12,188 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
21 $12,579 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
22 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
23 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
24 $12,997 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
25 $13,091 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
26 $13,253 $10,344 49.4% 94.6%
27 $13,346 $7,278 21.6%
28 $13,493 $5,633 47.8% 88.0%
29 $13,776 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
30 $13,824 $7,278 24.5%
31 $13,832 $10,990 38.0% 68.9%
32 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
33 $13,953 $7,392 25.4%
34 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
35 $14,207 $10,084 54.2% 78.1%
36 $14,352 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
37 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
38 $14,542 $8,295 34.7% 76.8%
39 $14,846 $8,675 44.5% 93.8%
40 $15,001 $8,689 44.1% 94.9%
41 $15,336 $9,739 49.4% 71.3%
42 $15,794 $9,950 49.9% 85.3%
43 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
44 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
45 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
46 $16,494 $18,900 55.9%
47 $16,496 $19,022 73.1% 66.0%
48 $16,972 $5,786 48.1% 67.9%
49 $17,050 $10,164 53.4% 77.5%
50 $17,365 $10,142 52.5% 86.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Berea College so affordable compared to other Engineering Technology programs?

Berea College operates on a unique work-study model where students work on campus to help cover educational costs. The school provides need-based aid that reduces the net cost to just $4,483, making it more affordable than public universities like Texas Southmost College at $5,458. This private nonprofit serves students from low-income families and has maintained this model for over 150 years. Despite the low cost, Berea maintains a 62% graduation rate, which exceeds many public alternatives.

How do graduate earnings vary among affordable Engineering Technology programs?

Graduate earnings show remarkable variation, ranging from $26,353 at Berea College to $97,959 at Eastern New Mexico University. New Mexico State University graduates earn $59,253, while Southern Utah University graduates average $51,273. Regional job markets and local industries significantly influence these outcomes. The nearly $70,000 difference between the highest and lowest earnings reflects both geographic economic conditions and specific program focus areas.

Is there a correlation between acceptance rates and program quality in Engineering Technology?

Acceptance rates range from Eastern New Mexico's selective 27.55% to University of North Alabama's open 95.68%, but this doesn't directly indicate quality. Eastern New Mexico combines low acceptance with the highest graduate earnings at $97,959. California State University-Long Beach maintains a 39.95% acceptance rate while achieving a 69.9% graduation rate. The most selective programs often focus on smaller cohorts with intensive hands-on training.

Does geographic location affect Engineering Technology program costs and outcomes?

Geographic location plays a significant role in both costs and career outcomes for Engineering Technology graduates. Texas schools like University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Texas Southmost College offer lower net costs at $6,500 and $5,458 respectively. California programs at Cal State Long Beach and Sacramento cost around $9,000 but provide access to higher-paying tech and aerospace industries. Rural programs often have lower costs but may offer fewer immediate high-paying opportunities.

Where can students find the best value in Engineering Technology education?

New Mexico State University offers strong value with $6,747 net cost and $59,253 graduate earnings, providing nearly 9-to-1 earnings ratio. Eastern New Mexico University delivers the highest graduate earnings at $97,959 for $6,199 in net costs. University of West Florida combines moderate costs at $8,155 with a solid 61.8% graduation rate and low debt at $15,269. These programs balance affordability with strong employment outcomes in their respective regions.

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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.