Engineering is the 6th most popular degree college students are trying to get, according to collegefactual.com. So, what makes these engineering degrees such a hot commodity? Once they graduate, there is a huge demand for excellent engineers with a handsome starting salary to boot. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, this occupation is expected to grow, bringing in at least 140,000 new jobs in the 2016-2026 decade, while also earning a median salary of $91,000. As popular as this degree is, finding the cheapest engineering degree can be a struggle.
While many students want to get a great education to help them succeed in the real world, engineering degrees can be extremely costly, costing as much as $40,000. Fortunately, with the following list of colleges, you can still get an excellent education without going into debt. The information below is based on a two-year or four-year degree, but many engineers do go on to obtain a Master’s degree. This list should be an excellent starting point for your college education.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Texas College | McAllen, Texas |
| 2 | Brazosport College | Lake Jackson, Texas |
| 3 | Utah Valley University | Orem, Utah |
| 4 | CUNY College of Staten Island | New York City, New York |
| 5 | California State University – Stanislaus | Turlock, California |
South Texas College
Since 1993, South Texas College has offered over 120 degrees and certificate programs. Their Associate of Science Engineering program will provide future engineers with the hands-on technical experience they need to get a job right after graduation. Located in McAllen, Texas, this university has a 100% acceptance rate for a small tuition rate.
Brazosport College
Another Texas-based college to make our list is Brazosport College. This small public college has a wide range of degrees, certificates, and transfer plans available to meet the needs of their diverse students. This college is a great stepping stone for those who want to start with a two-year college before making the jump to a four-year university.
Utah Valley University
Located in Orem, Utah, Utah Valley University offers an Associate in Pre-Engineering. This degree allows students to complete their first two to three years of college completing requirements for an engineering degree. Once these requirements are met, students can transfer to a four-year university.
CUNY College of Staten Island
The mid-size institution of CUNY College of Staten Island offers a wide range of majors at an affordable price. Two engineering majors available are Engineering Science, Electrical Engineering.
California State University – Stanislaus
The large campus of California State University – Stanislaus is located in Turlock, California, and has been serving the needs of its students since 1965. The faculty and staff of this public university firmly believe in preparing students for the workforce they will be entering when they graduate and can be seen in their rigorous engineering program. The unique program available at this university is known as the Joint Engineering Program, which allows Computer Science, Math, or Physics undergraduates to also pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
Arkansas Tech University
The Department of Electrical Engineering at Arkansas Tech University offers students the opportunity to obtain a four-year degree for an affordable tuition rate. This institution is ABET-accredited, which is one of only three accredited programs in the state. Some areas of study include Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
Lamar University
Ranked as number 1 for Best Online Bachelor’s Engineering Degree, Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Engineering Degree, and Best Value Engineering Degree, Lamar University is at the top for the most affordable engineering degree. Not only does this university provide its students with valuable and affordable education, but they also provide numerous employment opportunities through their co-op and internship programs. Lamar University was also ranked number two by Payscale for the best return on investment with their degrees.
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut is a top-25 public university located in Storrs, Connecticut. The UConn School of Engineering is the #1 public engineering college in New England, and provides over half of the state’s engineering graduates each year. If finding a job after graduation is something that concerns you, 95 percent of graduates obtain employment 6 months after completing their degree.
University of Washington
The Bothell campus of the University of Washington has small class sizes, a high acceptance rate, and affordable tuition. Computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering are the three majors students can choose from in the engineering department. All three programs also received ABET accreditation in 2019.
Wright State University – Lake Campus
Wright State University is located in Celina, Ohio, and is known for its engineering department, especially in the fields of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Technicians. Class sizes are small and do provide students with real-world experience through its internship program.
Arizona State University – West
The West Campus of Arizona State University is a small institution that offers numerous majors, including 25 undergraduate programs in their Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering department. This college has been a part of 24 startup companies, 42 NSF Career Awardees in the last 5 years, and at least $115 million in research expenditures.
Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University was ranked 152-200 in Best Engineering Schools, according to US News. This high-performing university has a large number of engineering programs available to its students at the Bachelors, Master’s, and Doctoral levels. While this mid-size institution continues to perform well, tuition costs remain relatively low compared to other engineering schools.
The University of Texas Permian Basin
The University of Texas Permian Basin is located in Midland and Odessa, Texas, the energy epicenter of the US. The College of Engineering offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study chemical, electrical, mechanical, and petroleum engineering. Graduate students can earn a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and our Accelerated Master’s programs (BS-MS) offers a pathway for undergraduates to complete bachelors and master’s degree in mechanical engineering within 5 years.
- Annual tuition of $8,200
- Petroleum engineering ranked #1 highest paid graduates by U.S. News & World Report
- 100% passing rate in Fundamental of Engineering Exams in 2019
Nicholls State University
Located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Nicholls State University offers a Petroleum Engineering Technology and Safety Management program that was created for workers in the oil and gas field. Graduates of this college have gone on to have successful oil and gas engineering careers around the world.
Montana State University-Northern
The Northern campus of Montana State University offers a civil engineering degree in Havre, Montana. The completion of this program will leave students with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology and will allow graduates to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam administered by the State Board of Professional Engineers and Surveyors.
Miami University
The small campus of Miami University – Hamilton can be found in Hamilton, Ohio. This public university is known for its safety and conservativeness, while also having numerous degrees to choose from, including an Associate’s or Bachelors’s degree in Engineering Technology. Although engineering is a popular major, 83% of students surveyed said they had no problems getting the classes they needed.
Weber State University
The Salt Lake City area has a beautiful, serene view that includes rolling hills, blue skies, and a plethora of outdoor activities. Not only is this a vacation destination for many, but it is also the location of Weber State University. This college offers computer and electrical engineering degrees that will allow its students to build, test, and invent new machines and electrical products.
Stephen F Austin State University
Stephen F Austin State University is a medium-sized campus located in Nacogdoches, Texas. This college offers either a pre-engineering program to those interested in pursuing a degree in engineering or a dual program that combines engineering with physics.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
As a small institution in Weatherford, Oklahoma, Southwestern Oklahoma State University offers students small class sizes and a close-knit community. This university offers an Engineering Technology program that will teach students how to build, evaluate, and maintain electronic systems.
Montana Technological University
As a Special Focus STEM University, Montana Technological University provides plenty of research and hands-on learning opportunities for its students. Engineering is one of the most popular majors in this university and has a small-town feeling in the city of Butte, Montana.
Bob Jones University
Bob Jones University is a small, Christian-based university located in Greenville, North Carolina. The engineering program at this institution is ABET-accredited and combines biblical teaching with the math and science components that would expect in this program.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Since 1870, Missouri University of Science and Technology prides itself on being an innovative college that values research and continuous learning. It is a medium-sized campus that offers almost 100 majors related to the computer science, arts, and engineering fields.
Ranken Technical College
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Ranken Technical College is a private college that specializes in engineering degrees and certificates. The results of a poll that was sent to students stated that 100% of students agree that the professors put a lot of time and effort into their instructions and teaching efforts.
University of Minnesota Duluth
The University of Minnesota Duluth does have slightly higher tuition than the other colleges and universities on our list, but the quality of the education greatly outweighs the cost. This campus has received high reviews by students for the passion the faculty has in teaching and ease of getting the classes needed to fulfill their degree requirements. Some of the available engineering degrees include Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Industrial.
The colleges on our list were ranked primarily by affordability. Finding the cheapest engineering degrees can be a daunting task, so hopefully, we made your efforts of finding the right college a little easier. The tuition listed for each college is based primarily on in-state tuition, but all of these schools also offer scholarships and financial aid to help keep your costs low. Another factor we looked at when ranking these colleges and universities was the quality of the degrees. These institutions got excellent reviews from previous students and alum.
If you would like your school to be listed as one of our cheapest engineering schools or would like your information edited to include more updated information, please contact us and let us know.