What Are the Most Affordable Engineering Schools in the US?
The most affordable engineering schools in the US are Oklahoma State University, University of South Florida, and Florida International University. Our list of the cheapest engineering schools includes programs in civil, mechanical, information technology, materials science, and nuclear engineering fields. You’ll be able to find a program that meets your academic and career goals.
How Much Do the Cheapest Engineering Schools Cost?
The cheapest engineering schools cost between $5,070 to $13,239 per year for in-state students, according to our data from the list of schools below. Tuition for out-of-state students is more expensive at public universities, and tuition for international students is more expensive at most schools. You can also explore online engineering degrees as they generally tend to be cheaper than in-person degrees.
Cheapest Engineering Schools Costs Breakdown
- Tuition rate. The tuition rate per credit hour is the biggest component of the total cost. Public schools charge different rates for in-state and out-of-state tuition, and out-of-state is more expensive.
- Books. College textbooks are expensive and not included in the cost of tuition. Depending on the semester, you might have to pay more than $400 for books.
- Room and board. Students have a wide range of housing options from on-campus dorms to living with family off-campus. On-campus dorms and apartments can be expensive and sometimes come with a required meal plan.
- Student fees. Many schools have student fees in addition to the tuition rate. Student fees usually include an activities fee and a technology fee.
- Lab fees. Most engineering bachelor’s degrees have many lab course requirements. You often have to pay an additional lab fee for every lab class.
Why You Should Attend an Engineering School
You should attend an engineering school if you want to build a career in a constantly evolving and lucrative sector. The field of engineering is broad and covers topics like software, data science, business, healthcare, and construction. Attending an engineering school will prepare you for sought-after positions across these fields.
Depending on your choice of engineering career, you will likely need a bachelor’s degree. There are some engineering jobs you can get with an associate degree like a civil engineering technician or drafter, but the majority require a bachelor’s degree.
Best Engineering School Career Options
Some of the best engineering school career options are software engineering, cyber security engineering, and mechanical engineering. These are some of the highest-paying engineering jobs with good job outlooks.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for engineers overall is expected to grow by four percent from 2021 to 2031. However, the specific job outlook projection will vary by your choice of engineering job. Software-based engineering professions typically have a higher job outlook rate than non-tech engineering jobs.
Engineering Salary
The average salary for an engineering graduate is $79,840 a year according to BLS, but your salary will differ significantly based on your degree and your field. The average salary of an electro-mechanical technician with an associate degree is $60,360, while the average salary for an aerospace engineer with a bachelor’s degree is $122,270.
Can You Attend Engineering School for Free?
Yes, you can attend an engineering school for free if you get a full scholarship or a tuition waiver from a teaching assistantship position. You will need to meet the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, which might include a minimum GPA, financial need, or being a member of an underrepresented social group.
Without a great financial aid package, you can’t attend an engineering school for free. You can find free online courses that are a great resource for those interested in learning some basic engineering skills. You should look into massive open online course (MOOC) platforms such as Udemy or Coursera to find free courses.
Cheapest Engineering Schools That Won’t Break the Bank
What Are the Cheapest Engineering Schools? A Deep Dive
University of South Florida | Average Annual Cost: $8,346
Florida International University | Average Annual Cost: $5,298
Lamar University | Average Annual Cost: $11,739
North Carolina State University | Average Annual Cost: $16,411
Oklahoma State University | Average Annual Cost: $14,237
Mississippi State University | Average Annual Cost: $16,122
Purdue University | Average Annual Cost: $13,377
Arizona State University | Average Annual Cost: $13,107
Texas Tech University | Average Annual Cost: $16,194
Texas A&M University | Average Annual Cost: $18,919
Paying for Engineering School With Financial Aid
There are several ways to pay for engineering school with financial aid from both public and private sources. You should talk with your school’s admissions department or financial aid office to get help finding the best combination of financial aid options that work for you. Below are some of the financial aid options you can use to fund your engineering degree.
Federal Grants
Federal grants are tuition assistance programs offered by the federal government to prospective students based on financial need. To apply for these grants, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year you are in school. You can also apply for state grants that follow similar financial eligibility requirements but are offered by the state government to in-state students.
Federal Loans
Federal loans are student loans offered by the government at a fixed interest rate, and they can be subsidized or unsubsidized. You can apply for federal loans by submitting the FAFSA. Because of congressionally mandated borrowing limits, federal loans might not be enough to cover all expenses for students.
Private Loans
Private loans are an alternative to federal loans that are offered by banks or non-governmental organizations. To secure a private loan, you’ll need to get a credit check. You might need a cosigner on your loan if you don’t have a high credit score. Terms and interest rates vary and are set by the private lender.
Work Study
Work study is a federal financial aid program that pays students with financial need a salary for a part-time, on-campus job. Work-study jobs are designed to fit into a full-time student’s schedule. You are also required to work a set number of hours per week to continue receiving this financial aid.
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How to Apply for Federal Aid to Finance Your Engineering School Program
To apply for federal aid to finance your engineering school, you’ll need to submit your financial documents, engineering school choices, and other identification documents through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Below is a step-by-step guide for how to submit the FAFSA.
- Create an online FAFSA profile. The first step is to create a FAFSA profile for your online application. This will give you an FSA ID, which you will use later in the application process.
- Find the required documents. The next step is to gather all the required documents for your application like taxed and untaxed income and proof of identity documents. If you are a dependent, you will need to include your parents’ social security number and financial records with your application.
- Start your online application. The third step is to begin your online application. Be sure to click the save button while filling out the application. You can upload all the financial documents at this stage.
- List your engineering schools. The next step is to include the engineering schools or colleges of your choice. Because you usually submit the FAFSA before you decide on a school, you can include up to 10 schools.
- Submit your FAFSA form. The last step is to double-check all the information and submit your federal aid application.
Best Engineering Scholarships
- Ansys/Society for Women Engineers Scholarship | Amount: $6,000. This scholarship is offered to women in undergraduate engineering programs who have already completed one year of their program or in graduate engineering programs. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and students from underrepresented groups are given preference.
- ASHRAE Willis H. Carrier Scholarship | Amount: $10,000. This undergraduate scholarship is for undergraduate engineering students enrolled in HVAC and R industry-related engineering programs. Students need to have a minimum 3.0 GPA and attend an ABET-accredited program.
- ASME/SHPE Graduate Scholarship | Amount: $5,000. This scholarship is offered to Hispanic students enrolled in a graduate mechanical engineering program. It requires a minimum of 2.5 accumulated GPA.
- NSPE Steinman Scholarship | Amount: $5,000. This scholarship is offered to students currently enrolled in an undergraduate engineering program in their junior year. The scholarship is awarded based on an ethics essay, GPA, internships, and recommendations.
- AISES A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship | Amount: $1,000 to $2,000. This STEM scholarship is for Indigenous students with tribal citizenship. Undergraduate students are awarded $1,000, and graduate students are awarded $2,000. Applicants are also required to have an active AISES membership to qualify.