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2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
Looking for the best-value Engineering Technologies programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 1569 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, Trade College reviewed schools to produce 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 Technologies Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Northwest Louisiana Technical College this year in the United States. Based in Minden, LA, Northwest Louisiana Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,109. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $5,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,503 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Get the full Northwest Louisiana Technical College report
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on this year's best-value Engineering Technologies ranking in the United States. Based in Rexburg, ID, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,937 in student loans. Median earnings reach $53,406 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Brigham Young University Idaho
You'll get strong value at Columbia Southern University, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Orange Beach, AL, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $20,517. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,534. That is a strong return on a $20,517 median debt. Get the full Columbia Southern University report
You'll get strong value at Sowela Technical Community College, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Lake Charles, LA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,305. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $7,850. Median earnings reach $32,303 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Sowela Technical Community College profile
A rank of #5 makes Panola College one of the best values in the United States. Located in Carthage, TX, Panola College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,072. Get the full Panola College report
Baton Rouge Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Baton Rouge Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,321. The median Engineering Technologies program debt is $16,000. Baton Rouge Community College alumni report median earnings of $34,581 a decade after entry. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Baton Rouge Community College profile
Southeast Community College Area landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $13,335. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Southeast Community College Area report
Lee College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Baytown, TX, Lee College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Lee College Engineering Technologies students take on a median of $10,941 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,178. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt. See the full Lee College profile
Bellingham Technical College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in Bellingham, WA, Bellingham Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,748. Get the full Bellingham Technical College report
Bismarck State College placed #10 among the best-value Engineering Technologies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Bismarck, ND. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering Technologies program debt is $12,485. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,277. That is a strong return on a $12,485 median debt. Read more about Bismarck State College
Tyler Junior College placed #11 among the best-value Engineering Technologies schools in the United States. Based in Tyler, TX, Tyler Junior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Tyler Junior College alumni report median earnings of $38,140 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt. Read the full report on Tyler Junior College
L E Fletcher Technical Community College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Schriever, LA, L E Fletcher Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,219. Graduates carry a median of $5,396 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on L E Fletcher Technical Community College
Northeast Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Based in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Northeast Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,634 a decade after entry. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northeast Community College
Ridgewater College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Willmar, MN, Ridgewater College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $17,196. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,827 ten years after entry. Set against $17,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Ridgewater College
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. Based in Sioux City, IA, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Western Iowa Tech Community College Engineering Technologies students take on a median of $11,886 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,473 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Western Iowa Tech Community College profile
Alpena Community College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Alpena, MI, Alpena Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. The median Engineering Technologies program debt is $10,000. Median earnings reach $36,442 ten years out. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Alpena Community College
Grantham University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in LIttle Rock, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,520. Students borrow a median of $27,462 to complete their Engineering Technologies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,496. That is a strong return on a $27,462 median debt. More on Grantham University
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public school based in Alexandria, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,236. Alexandria Technical And Community College Engineering Technologies students take on a median of $12,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,393 ten years after entry. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Alexandria Technical And Community College
Victoria College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Victoria, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,910 to complete their Engineering Technologies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Victoria College
Lake Area Technical Institute ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. This public school is set in Watertown, SD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. The median Engineering Technologies program debt is $13,103. Lake Area Technical Institute alumni report median earnings of $45,473 a decade after entry. Set against $13,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Lake Area Technical Institute
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. Waukesha County Technical College is a public school based in Pewaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Graduates carry a median of $13,850 in student loans. Median earnings reach $46,894 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Waukesha County Technical College
Georgia Northwestern Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Rome, GA, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $8,492. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,759 ten years after entry. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Georgia Northwestern Technical College report
San Jacinto Community College placed #23 among the best-value Engineering Technologies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Pasadena, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Graduates carry a median of $14,476 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,062. That is a strong return on a $14,476 median debt. Read the full report on San Jacinto Community College
Amarillo College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. Located in Amarillo, TX, Amarillo College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,599 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,302 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,599 median debt. See the full Amarillo College profile
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Located in Fennimore, WI, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,904 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,147 for out-of-state students. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $12,112. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,470 ten years after entry. Set against $12,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Southwest Wisconsin Technical College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Engineering Technologies Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
South Louisiana Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Located in Lafayette, LA, South Louisiana Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,210. South Louisiana Community College Engineering Technologies students take on a median of $13,500 in debt. Median earnings reach $31,432 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full South Louisiana Community College profile
Hennepin Technical College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. Hennepin Technical College is a public school based in Brooklyn Park, MN. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Hennepin Technical College Engineering Technologies students take on a median of $18,038 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,460. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt. Get the full Hennepin Technical College report
St Cloud Technical And Community College placed #28 among the best-value Engineering Technologies schools in the United States. Based in Saint Cloud, MN, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,124. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $13,949. St Cloud Technical And Community College alumni report median earnings of $46,874 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt. Read the full report on St Cloud Technical And Community College
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. Located in Eau Claire, WI, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Chippewa Valley Technical College Engineering Technologies students take on a median of $14,750 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,297 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. See the full Chippewa Valley Technical College profile
South Central College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in North Mankato, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $8,546. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,068 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,546 median debt. Read more about South Central College
Anoka Technical College landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Anoka Technical College is a public school based in Anoka, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,267 in tuition and fees. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $16,187. Anoka Technical College alumni report median earnings of $47,746 a decade after entry. Set against $16,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Anoka Technical College
Western Technical College La Cross offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. This public school is set in La Crosse, WI. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Western Technical College La Cross Engineering Technologies students take on a median of $11,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $45,303 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. More on Western Technical College La Cross
Madison Area Technical College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. The median Engineering Technologies program debt is $16,812. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Madison Area Technical College
Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Angola, IN, Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,176 in tuition and fees. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,165. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus has an acceptance rate of 40%. More on Trine University Fort Wayne Regional Campus
Indian Hills Community College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Based in Ottumwa, IA, Indian Hills Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. The median Engineering Technologies program debt is $10,669. Indian Hills Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,507 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,669 median debt. Get the full Indian Hills Community College report
Pearl River Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. Pearl River Community College is a public school based in Poplarville, MS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,700, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,885 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,019. That is a strong return on a $10,885 median debt. Get the full Pearl River Community College report
Fox Valley Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Set in Appleton, WI, Fox Valley Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,684 ten years out. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Fox Valley Technical College report
Spokane Community College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Set in Spokane, WA, Spokane Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $16,486 to complete their Engineering Technologies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,984. Set against $16,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Spokane Community College profile
Bemidji State University came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Based in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Graduates carry a median of $30,982 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,755. That is a strong return on a $30,982 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants. Read more about Bemidji State University
Southeast Technical Institute placed #40 among the best-value Engineering Technologies schools in the United States. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Southeast Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. Typical Engineering Technologies student debt is $18,442. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,709 ten years after entry. Set against $18,442 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Southeast Technical Institute
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Based in Green Bay, WI, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. The median Engineering Technologies program debt is $14,188. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,553 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
North Dakota State College Of Science landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Wahpeton, ND. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,974, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Graduates carry a median of $16,268 in student loans. North Dakota State College Of Science alumni report median earnings of $50,513 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,268 median debt. See the full North Dakota State College Of Science profile
Piedmont Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Greenwood, SC, Piedmont Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, with out-of-state students paying around $6,923. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Engineering Technologies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,768. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Piedmont Technical College
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #44 among the best-value Engineering Technologies schools in the United States. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College Engineering Technologies students take on a median of $12,924 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,137. Set against $12,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Dakota County Technical College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Rosemount, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Dakota County Technical College Engineering Technologies students take on a median of $13,474 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,938 ten years after entry. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Dakota County Technical College
Mitchell Technical Institute ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. Based in Mitchell, SD, Mitchell Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,524. Students borrow a median of $13,067 to complete their Engineering Technologies program here. Mitchell Technical Institute alumni report median earnings of $50,743 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Mitchell Technical Institute
Kirkwood Community College placed #47 among the best-value Engineering Technologies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Cedar Rapids, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,983 to complete their Engineering Technologies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,016 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Kirkwood Community College profile
Navarro College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Engineering Technologies schools. Based in Corsicana, TX, Navarro College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,008, compared with $6,578 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,781 to complete their Engineering Technologies program here. Median earnings reach $38,716 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Navarro College profile
Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Florence, SC. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. The median Engineering Technologies program debt is $7,230. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,748. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt. See the full Florence Darlington Technical College profile
Danville Community College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Danville, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Graduates carry a median of $7,999 in student loans. Median earnings reach $31,664 ten years out. Set against $7,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Danville Community College
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Engineering Technologies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Technologies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Technologies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Technologies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Technologies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Technologies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Engineering Technologies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 1569 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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