2026 Best Value General Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Engineering associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 790 schools 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed 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 General Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Wake Technical Community College this year in the United States. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Wake Technical Community College General Engineering students take on a median of $11,182 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Wake Technical Community College
A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values in the United States. Austin Community College District is a public school based in Austin, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,177. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt. Read the full report on Austin Community College District
You'll get strong value at Monroe Community College, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Rochester, NY, Monroe Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. The median General Engineering program debt is $9,185. Median earnings reach $40,174 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Monroe Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Platteville, WI, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Platteville General Engineering students take on a median of $23,677 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,760. That is a strong return on a $23,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Platteville profile
A rank of #5 makes Lake Superior State University one of the best values in the United States. Lake Superior State University is a public school based in Sault Ste Marie, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete their General Engineering program here. Lake Superior State University alumni report median earnings of $49,045 a decade after entry. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Lake Superior State University
Weber State University placed #6 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Ogden, UT, Weber State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical General Engineering student debt is $19,176. Weber State University alumni report median earnings of $56,287 a decade after entry. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Weber State University profile
Utah Valley University placed #7 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Orem, UT, Utah Valley University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical General Engineering student debt is $16,478. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,486 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt. Read more about Utah Valley University
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Staten Island, NY, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. The median General Engineering program debt is $14,688. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island has an acceptance rate of 92%. Read more about Cuny College Of Staten Island
Bay De Noc Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. More on Bay De Noc Community College
Brunswick Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Brunswick Community College report
California Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. See the full California Institute Of Technology profile
College Of The Desert ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Read more about College Of The Desert
Elgin Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Get the full Elgin Community College report
King College
King College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. More on King College
Lee University
Lee University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full Lee University report
Mchenry County College landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Mchenry County College
Merced College
Merced College landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Merced College report
Southern Utah University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Read the full report on Southern Utah University
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee Martin
Virginia Highlands Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Read the full report on Virginia Highlands Community College
Cornell College
Cornell College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. See the full Cornell College profile
Santa Monica College placed #23 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Read more about Santa Monica College
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Evergreen Valley College landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Evergreen Valley College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Kishwaukee College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. See the full Kishwaukee College profile
Las Positas College offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read more about Las Positas College
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff placed #28 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
University Of Maryland College Park placed #29 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Western Nebraska Community College landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Western Nebraska Community College report
Case Western Reserve University placed #31 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
Georgia Military College Milledgeville ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Read more about Georgia Military College Milledgeville
Manchester College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Manchester College report
Red Rocks Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on Red Rocks Community College
University Of San Francisco came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of San Francisco
Drexel University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Get the full Drexel University report
Garrett College
Garrett College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Read more about Garrett College
Hudson Valley Community College placed #38 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Hudson Valley Community College profile
Lafayette College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Lafayette College profile
Suny College Of Technology At Canton ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Get the full Suny College Of Technology At Canton report
Delaware County Community College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Read more about Delaware County Community College
Finger Lakes Community College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. See the full Finger Lakes Community College profile
Eastern Arizona College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Eastern Arizona College
Houston Baptist University landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Houston Baptist University profile
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. See the full Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College profile
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome report
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #48 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College
Texas Tech University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
Cuny City College offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on Cuny City College
Related General Engineering Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value General Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value General Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 790 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.