by our College Data Analytics Team
[Manufacturing Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/industrial-production-technology/manufacturing-engineering-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong manufacturing engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in manufacturing engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Hennepin Technical College, our #1 best value for manufacturing engineering technology in Minnesota. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,940. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $52,059. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Pine Technical College one of the best values for manufacturing engineering technology. Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pine City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $22,454 in student loans. Early-career manufacturing engineering technology graduates make about $32,063. That is a strong return on a $22,454 median debt.
Normandale Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value manufacturing engineering technology schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Manufacturing Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $20,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Cloud State University earned it the #4 place for manufacturing engineering technology. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for manufacturing engineering technology graduates is $16,084. Soon after graduation, manufacturing engineering technology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $69,616. Set against $16,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.