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Cheapest Engineering Science Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Bakersfield leads the nation's most affordable Engineering Science programs with a net cost of just $5,825 annually. The West Coast dominates the bottom tier of costs, claiming four of the five cheapest options, while elite public universities like UC Berkeley and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor prove that top-tier education doesn't always require premium pricing. Engineering Science graduates from these programs earn between $48,041 and $56,415 within six years of graduation, positioning them well for careers in aerospace manufacturing, technology development, and systems engineering across the Pacific corridor. The cost spread reveals a striking pattern: public universities consistently undercut private options, with even selective institutions like UC San Diego maintaining a $11,750 net price. Regional employment opportunities in defense contracting, renewable energy, and semiconductor manufacturing create strong job pipelines for graduates. Acceptance rates vary dramatically from UC Berkeley's highly selective 11.33% to Shepherd University's open-access 95.86%, yet all programs prepare students for the interdisciplinary problem-solving demanded by modern engineering challenges.
50
Programs
$5,825 – $28,619
Net Price Range
$61,173
Avg. Program Earnings
67.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Engineering Science Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
2 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
3 $11,432 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
4 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
5 $12,280 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
6 $12,391 $8,642 49.5% 95.9%
7 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
8 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
9 $13,742 $11,640 50.8% 78.6%
10 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
11 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
12 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
13 $15,216 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
14 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
15 $16,496 $19,022 73.1% 66.0%
16 $16,630 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
17 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
18 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
19 $17,430 $36,298 49.5% 96.3%
20 $17,478 $8,115 52.5% 96.1%
21 $17,529 $23,400 69.6%
22 $17,680 $30,010 59.6% 58.5%
23 $17,722 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
24 $19,040 $29,475 32.0% 72.7%
25 $19,040 $63,946 92.7% 6.7%
26 $19,568 $13,494 70.6% 82.5%
27 $20,015 $11,954 71.0% 75.7%
28 $20,204 $31,440 52.7% 86.4%
29 $20,332 $12,896 66.9% 90.8%
30 $20,893 $30,680 41.5% 64.4%
31 $21,352 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
32 $21,826 $42,894 63.6% 74.1%
33 $22,604 $51,040 66.8% 97.5%
34 $23,383 $25,110 48.1% 75.8%
35 $23,519 $17,239 85.0% 66.3%
36 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
37 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
38 $23,774 $51,250 60.0% 80.2%
39 $23,911 $64,525 94.9% 17.0%
40 $24,663 $47,430 63.7% 64.7%
41 $24,842 $40,352 66.3% 78.1%
42 $25,079 $50,634 71.7% 79.3%
43 $25,383 $35,960 65.3% 87.7%
44 $25,458 $18,685 85.2% 64.4%
45 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
46 $26,536 $41,416 69.4% 69.8%
47 $27,143 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
48 $27,818 $64,700 96.3% 4.6%
49 $28,439 $42,930 75.2% 72.5%
50 $28,619 $65,739 96.0% 6.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $11,000+ cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

California State University-Bakersfield costs $5,825 annually while New Jersey Institute of Technology reaches $16,496, reflecting both state funding models and regional cost variations. Public universities receive state subsidies that dramatically reduce student costs, particularly in California and Utah where taxpayer support remains strong. Geographic factors also matter, as schools in smaller cities like Bakersfield and Cedar City operate with lower overhead costs than those in major metropolitan areas. The data shows that affordability doesn't correlate with quality, as several sub-$15,000 programs maintain graduation rates above 60%.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most selective programs?

UC Berkeley achieves a 92.90% graduation rate with 11.33% acceptance, while Cal State Bakersfield graduates 49.30% of students despite accepting 86.55% of applicants. The most selective programs consistently show higher completion rates, with UC San Diego and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor both exceeding 85% graduation rates. However, mid-tier options like Arizona State University Campus Immersion balance accessibility with outcomes, graduating 67.80% of students while accepting nearly 90% of applicants. The pattern suggests that student preparation and institutional resources both influence success rates significantly.

Is Engineering Science earning potential consistent across different cost tiers?

Graduate earnings remain relatively narrow across all cost levels, ranging from $48,041 to $56,415 annually six years after graduation. This $8,374 spread represents just 17% variation despite dramatic cost differences between programs, suggesting that Engineering Science skills translate consistently to job markets nationwide. The data indicates that employers value the interdisciplinary training regardless of institutional prestige or program cost. Students can expect similar earning trajectories whether they attend a $5,825 program or a $16,496 option, making affordability a primary decision factor without sacrificing career prospects.

Does geographic location affect both costs and career opportunities for Engineering Science majors?

California programs dominate the affordable options with four schools under $16,000, benefiting from both state funding and proximity to aerospace and technology employers. Western states generally offer lower net costs, with Southern Utah University charging just $11,432 compared to East Coast alternatives. The regional concentration suggests that state investment in STEM education varies significantly, with California and Utah prioritizing accessible engineering programs. Career opportunities align with these geographic patterns, as graduates can access aerospace manufacturing in California, energy projects in Utah, and automotive engineering in Michigan without relocating far from their alma maters.

Where can students find the best value combination of low costs and high graduation rates?

Arizona State University Campus Immersion offers strong value at $13,670 with a 67.80% graduation rate and 89.75% acceptance rate. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo provides another strong option at $15,624 with an impressive 85.20% graduation rate, though admission is more competitive at 30.43% acceptance. Sonoma State University balances accessibility and outcomes effectively, charging $13,801 while graduating 60.50% of students and accepting 94% of applicants. These programs demonstrate that students don't need to choose between affordability and academic success, as several options deliver both reasonable costs and solid completion rates.

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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.