2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Mechanical Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/mechanical-engineering-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering technology students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Technology Schools
For return on investment in mechanical engineering technology, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Kansas City this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $12,281. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita Area Technical College one of the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Students borrow a median of $7,503 to complete the mechanical engineering technology program here. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $21,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering technology will find it at Crowder College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $9,887. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $33,816 early in their careers. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Kansas Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Goodland, Northwest Kansas Technical College is a small public institution. Early-career mechanical engineering technology graduates make about $41,638.
A rank of #5 makes Pittsburg State University one of the best values for mechanical engineering technology. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mechanical engineering technology schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #7 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering technology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering technology degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $64,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mcpherson College earned the #8 position for value in mechanical engineering technology this year. Set in the town of McPherson, Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,146 in tuition and fees. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates of Mcpherson College earn a median of $42,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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Notes and References
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
