2026 Best Value Engineering Related Fields Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Engineering Related Fields graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 237 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Engineering Related Fields Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
California State University Northridge earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Located in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete their Engineering Related Fields program here. California State University Northridge alumni report median earnings of $59,115 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. See the full California State University Northridge profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Bowling Green, OH, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering Related Fields student debt is $26,404. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,896 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 81%. Get the full Bowling Green State University Main Campus report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Northwest earned it the #3 place in the United States. Purdue University Northwest is a public school based in Hammond, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete their Engineering Related Fields program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,318. That is a strong return on a $25,083 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants. Get the full Purdue University Northwest report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Dayton earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. University Of Dayton Engineering Related Fields students take on a median of $25,033 in debt. University Of Dayton alumni report median earnings of $75,537 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Dayton report
Out of the 237 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Ohio University Main Campus landed the #5 spot. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school based in Athens, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete their Engineering Related Fields program here. Median earnings reach $52,581 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants. Read the full report on Ohio University Main Campus
Temple University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering Related Fields student debt is $26,259. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,727. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Temple University report
South Dakota State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. The median Engineering Related Fields program debt is $24,989. Median earnings reach $55,070 ten years out. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on South Dakota State University
Washington State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,905 ten years out. Set against $21,903 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University has an acceptance rate of 87%. See the full Washington State University profile
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools. Based in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. The median Engineering Related Fields program debt is $24,408. Median earnings reach $49,827 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. More on Missouri State University Springfield
University Of Kansas placed #10 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. Set in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering Related Fields program debt is $23,608. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas has an acceptance rate of 94%. Read more about University Of Kansas
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering Related Fields program debt is $22,337. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,413. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Georgia Southern University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,236. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. More on Georgia Southern University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #13 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. This public school is set in Chattanooga, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga Engineering Related Fields students take on a median of $25,500 in debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga alumni report median earnings of $51,151 a decade after entry. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga report
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #14 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. Located in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical Engineering Related Fields student debt is $25,531. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,450. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%. More on Texas A And M University Kingsville
Drexel University placed #15 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. The median Engineering Related Fields program debt is $28,838. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $84,648. Set against $28,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. More on Drexel University
George Washington University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools. Based in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical Engineering Related Fields student debt is $22,910. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $90,873. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants. See the full George Washington University profile
University Of Arkansas offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. University Of Arkansas is a public school based in Fayetteville, AR. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,191 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Arkansas
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #18 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Typical Engineering Related Fields student debt is $28,000. Median earnings reach $82,957 ten years out. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Western New England University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools. Located in Springfield, MA, Western New England University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,820. Graduates carry a median of $25,520 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,157. That is a strong return on a $25,520 median debt. Western New England University has an acceptance rate of 84%. More on Western New England University
Northwestern University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,363. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants. Read the full report on Northwestern University
University Of Arizona placed #20 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. The median Engineering Related Fields program debt is $24,777. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Old Dominion University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Set in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering Related Fields program debt is $26,001. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,914 ten years after entry. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants. More on Old Dominion University
Stevens Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete their Engineering Related Fields program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $108,772. Set against $26,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants. See the full Stevens Institute Of Technology profile
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. Read more about Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Bemidji State University landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Bemidji State University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Engineering Related Fields Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Capella University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. More on Capella University
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Houston Clear Lake report
William Penn University placed #28 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. See the full William Penn University profile
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Alvernia University placed #30 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. Read more about Alvernia University
The University Of Texas At Arlington offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of Utah placed #32 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. See the full University Of Utah profile
Rowan University
Rowan University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools. More on Rowan University
Harvard University landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Harvard University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #35 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Indiana State University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full Indiana State University profile
Westcliff University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Westcliff University
Kansas State University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Kansas State University profile
Portland State University placed #39 among the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools in the United States. Read more about Portland State University
Lee University
Lee University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools. More on Lee University
Saint Martins University landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Saint Martins University
West Virginia University landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full West Virginia University profile
Bluegrass Community And Technical College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Bluegrass Community And Technical College
University Of Connecticut landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Connecticut profile
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Related Fields schools. Get the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology report
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez profile
Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Community College Of Rhode Island
Louisiana Tech University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Louisiana Tech University
Union County College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Union County College
Related Engineering Related Fields Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Engineering Related Fields Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Engineering Related Fields Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Related Fields Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Related Fields Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Related Fields Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Related Fields Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Related Fields Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 237 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).