* Institution Type: Public universities are generally much cheaper than private universities. Community colleges are often the most affordable option for introductory courses.
* Location: The cost of living and tuition varies significantly by state and even within a state. Engineering programs in states with high costs of living tend to be more expensive.
* In-State vs. Out-of-State: Out-of-state tuition at public universities is considerably higher than in-state tuition.
* Program Type: Specific engineering disciplines (e.g., aerospace engineering vs. civil engineering) might have slightly different tuition structures, though this is less common than the variations listed above.
* Specific University: Even within the same state and type of institution, individual universities have different tuition rates.
Therefore, there's no single answer. To find the cost per credit for a specific engineering program, you need to:
1. Identify the specific university and engineering program you're interested in.
2. Visit the university's website. Look for the "Tuition and Fees" section, often within the admissions or registrar's office. This information might be presented as a total cost per semester or per year, or it might list a cost per credit hour. If it's a total cost, you'll need to divide by the total number of credit hours required for the degree.
Expect to see costs ranging from a few hundred dollars per credit at a community college to over a thousand dollars per credit at a private university. Always check the university's website for the most up-to-date information.