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2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region

22 Ranked Colleges
2,950 Degrees Awarded
$18,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 46,178 people earned their degree in mechanical engineering, making the major the 21st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $69,007 and had an average of $23,944 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,950 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $67,644 and $25,449 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent mechanical engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the mechanical engineering program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 170 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,998 for plains states region me students per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at North Dakota State University

2
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 80 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State is $18,578 for plains states region me students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University

3
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Dakota. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 112 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $16,966 for plains states region me students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UND Mechanical Engineering Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region list. Rapid City, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 64 students in 2020-2021.

SD Mines not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $19,919 for plains states region me students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SD Mines Mechanical Engineering Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 451 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,002 for plains states region me students per year to attend Iowa State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University

6

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 121 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region ME students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Mechanical Engineering Report

7
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. K -State is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 182 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $18,433 for Plains States Region ME students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at K -State

8

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 151 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also took the #7 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for Plains States Region ME students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UNL

9

Wichita State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region list. WSU is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,859 for Plains States Region ME students per year to attend WSU.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at WSU

10
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. KU is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 140 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $20,257 for Plains States Region ME students per year to attend University of Kansas.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Kansas Mechanical Engineering Report

11

Missouri University of Science and Technology came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Rolla, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 272 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

Missouri University of Science and Technology not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri University of Science and Technology is $12,964 for Plains States Region ME students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology

12

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 285 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $17,878 for plains states region me students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Mechanical Engineering Report

13

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Missouri - Columbia is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 168 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou also took the #5 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for plains states region me students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Mechanical Engineering Report

14
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students list, Iowa has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $19,401 for plains states region me students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa Mechanical Engineering Report

15
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 36 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $14,581 for plains states region me students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Saint Cloud State University

16

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also took the #21 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region ME students per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Mechanical Engineering Report

17

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMKC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,702 for Plains States Region ME students per year to attend UMKC.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UMKC

18
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

Dordt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dordt University is $24,313 for Plains States Region ME students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Dordt University

19

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 27 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $12,232 for Plains States Region ME students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UMSL

20

University of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 105 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

UST MN also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for UST MN is $31,066 for plains states region me students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of St Thomas Minnesota

21
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s ME degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

SLU also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $25,039 for Plains States Region ME students per year to attend SLU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Saint Louis University

22

Washington University in St Louis came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 156 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $26,921 for plains states region me students per year to attend WUSTL.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis

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