2026 Best Value General Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Engineering graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 790 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Minnesota State University Mankato tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value General Engineering graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. The median General Engineering program debt is $27,627. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,922 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,627 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical General Engineering student debt is $22,386. Median earnings reach $56,887 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Out of the 790 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Texas A And M University College Station landed the #3 spot. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their General Engineering program here. Median earnings reach $72,097 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their General Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,121. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
Out of the 790 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Michigan Technological University landed the #5 spot. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Michigan Technological University alumni report median earnings of $78,198 a decade after entry. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
Villanova University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete their General Engineering program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $100,423 ten years after entry. Set against $26,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Villanova University
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Athens, OH. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. The median General Engineering program debt is $24,546. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,581. 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
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a public school based in Rapid City, SD. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete their General Engineering program here. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology alumni report median earnings of $72,257 a decade after entry. Set against $26,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. See the full South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology profile
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. The median General Engineering program debt is $20,836. University Of Maryland College Park alumni report median earnings of $82,860 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Iowa ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical General Engineering student debt is $24,463. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,762. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete their General Engineering program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $97,335. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted. More on Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Utah offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their General Engineering program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Utah
Duke University landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Duke University General Engineering students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $97,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants. More on Duke University
Wayne State University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Detroit, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Wayne State University General Engineering students take on a median of $26,689 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Wayne State University report
Diablo Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. See the full Diablo Valley College profile
Saint Marys College Of California placed #16 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Saint Marys College Of California
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Suny Westchester Community College
Craven Community College placed #18 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Craven Community College report
Cuyamaca College
Cuyamaca College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Get the full Cuyamaca College report
Grand Valley State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Grand Valley State University
Illinois Central College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Illinois Central College
Jackson State University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Jackson State University
Olin College
Olin College placed #23 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Olin College report
Rio Hondo College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Rio Hondo College report
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southwestern Michigan College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Tidewater Community College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Tidewater Community College
Durham Technical Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Get the full Durham Technical Community College report
Ellsworth Community College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Ellsworth Community College report
George Washington University came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read more about George Washington University
Lamar University
Lamar University placed #30 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. More on Lamar University
Mcdowell Technical Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on Mcdowell Technical Community College
Northland College placed #32 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Northland College report
Northwestern University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Northwestern University
Prairie View A And M University came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Prairie View A And M University
Solano Community College landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Solano Community College profile
Jefferson College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. More on Jefferson College
San Diego City College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on San Diego City College
Andrews University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Engineering schools. Read more about Andrews University
California Baptist University landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full California Baptist University report
Crowder College
Crowder College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Crowder College report
Laramie County Community College landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Laramie County Community College
Moore Norman Technology Center placed #42 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Moore Norman Technology Center report
Porterville College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. More on Porterville College
Snow College
Snow College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. See the full Snow College profile
Viterbo University placed #45 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full Viterbo University report
Wayne County Community College District placed #46 among the best-value General Engineering schools in the United States. Read more about Wayne County Community College District
West Valley College landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about West Valley College
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Arkansas State University Main Campus profile
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Bridgevalley Community And Technical College
California State University Long Beach landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full California State University Long Beach report
Related General Engineering Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at 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 Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Engineering Bachelor’s 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).
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