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Best Value Engineering Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

College of Staten Island CUNY delivers one of the nation's most affordable engineering pathways at just $5,115 net cost, proving that quality education doesn't require financial strain. This stark contrast with higher-priced programs becomes even more striking when considering that engineering graduates across these programs earn between $56,415 and $75,706 annually. The engineering job market continues expanding nationwide, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 4% growth through 2031, driven by infrastructure modernization and renewable energy projects. Arizona State University demonstrates how larger programs can maintain value, combining a $13,670 net cost with strong $68,666 median earnings. Meanwhile, schools like University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign command higher prices at $15,201 but deliver strong graduation rates of 84.9%. These programs span from Louisiana's petrochemical corridor to Alaska's resource extraction industry, reflecting regional economic needs. Students can access quality engineering education for under $16,000 annually while positioning themselves for careers averaging over $60,000 in starting salaries.
50
Programs
$5,115 – $33,531
Net Price Range
$62,557
Avg. Program Earnings
68.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Engineering, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $5,115 $56,776 $7,490 32.8%
2 $8,327 $57,318 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
3 $11,257 $69,338 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
4 $11,592 $64,990 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
5 $10,299 $56,415 $10,208 54.8% 88.4%
6 $12,817 $69,338 $10,144 53.1% 82.7%
7 $12,621 $64,087 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
8 $13,670 $68,666 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
9 $12,865 $63,005 $7,461 55.0% 74.3%
10 $13,780 $66,728 $7,566 28.9% 65.3%
11 $15,201 $72,727 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
12 $15,288 $70,370 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
13 $13,085 $58,131 $7,754 55.1% 69.5%
14 $15,323 $63,005 $9,998 52.1% 87.9%
15 $16,931 $63,997 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
16 $20,575 $75,706 $64,458 92.2% 19.1%
17 $16,240 $58,334 $8,050 58.1% 89.5%
18 $16,514 $58,447 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
19 $18,609 $63,302 $9,490 54.1% 70.7%
20 $18,430 $62,154 $10,560 77.8% 49.1%
21 $17,339 $54,209 $9,670 43.1% 91.0%
22 $21,144 $65,573 $30,832 66.8% 56.6%
23 $20,751 $63,997 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
24 $18,597 $55,964 $33,710 65.9% 91.3%
25 $21,539 $63,997 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
26 $18,730 $55,348 $9,206 69.9% 69.5%
27 $26,572 $75,921 $68,230 95.9% 5.1%
28 $23,156 $64,493 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
29 $19,880 $54,644 $11,770 61.9% 78.1%
30 $21,816 $57,943 $13,576 80.9% 78.3%
31 $24,783 $65,188 $38,670 77.4% 74.2%
32 $25,749 $67,101 $40,420 82.3% 80.5%
33 $23,992 $60,568 $33,027 64.2%
34 $32,492 $81,997 $66,255 93.8% 13.4%
35 $21,043 $52,789 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
36 $23,600 $57,318 $34,100 53.9% 78.4%
37 $26,198 $62,508 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
38 $32,337 $74,576 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
39 $28,619 $64,990 $65,739 96.0% 6.4%
40 $22,881 $51,273 $20,986 95.3% 18.7%
41 $32,496 $72,403 $62,574 88.1% 33.6%
42 $29,240 $65,131 $21,186 79.4% 58.0%
43 $22,350 $49,729 $40,890 73.4% 74.7%
44 $27,686 $60,623 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%
45 $20,498 $44,356 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
46 $29,633 $61,516 $55,480 80.5% 83.5%
47 $33,531 $69,338 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
48 $29,981 $60,230 $40,940 68.7% 91.7%
49 $27,700 $53,984 $42,286 60.3% 94.1%
50 $29,558 $57,318 $47,647 58.3% 82.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes College of Staten Island CUNY such an outstanding value for engineering students?

College of Staten Island CUNY offers the lowest net cost among these programs at just $5,115 annually. Students graduate earning $56,776 median salary, creating an excellent return on investment. The program serves the New York metropolitan area, where engineering opportunities span infrastructure, transportation, and technology sectors. Despite the low cost, graduates enter a solid job market with starting salaries that quickly offset educational expenses.

How do graduation rates vary among these affordable engineering programs?

Graduation rates span dramatically from 28.9% at University of Alaska Anchorage to 85.1% at UC Davis. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign achieves 84.9% completion rates despite higher costs, while Arizona State University maintains 67.8% graduation rates. Schools like Tennessee-Martin and North Carolina State both exceed 50% graduation rates while keeping costs reasonable. These differences often reflect program selectivity and student support resources.

Is there a significant earnings difference between lower-cost and higher-cost programs?

Median earnings range from $56,415 at UT-Martin to $72,727 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, showing modest variation relative to cost differences. McNeese State University graduates earn $69,338 with only $11,257 net cost, demonstrating strong value. Even the lowest-earning programs still place graduates well above national median income. The earnings spread of roughly $16,000 suggests that program choice matters less than individual performance and career planning.

Does student debt load vary significantly among these engineering programs?

Average debt ranges from $14,939 at UC Davis to $30,513 at UNC Asheville, with many programs falling around $25,000-$26,000. Frostburg State University keeps debt particularly low at $18,500 while maintaining reasonable costs. Marshall University graduates carry $26,500 in debt but earn $57,318 annually, creating manageable debt-to-income ratios. These debt levels remain well below national averages for four-year degree programs.

Where do these programs offer the best combination of low cost and high earnings potential?

McNeese State University in Louisiana stands out with $11,257 net cost and $69,338 median earnings, serving the state's petrochemical industry. Arizona State University combines reasonable $13,670 costs with strong $68,666 earnings in a growing technology market. UC Davis delivers $70,370 earnings for $15,288 cost in California's tech-heavy economy. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers the highest earnings at $72,727, justifying its $15,201 cost through strong outcomes.

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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.