2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/general-mechanical-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
Wichita State University tops our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $21,658 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Missouri University Of Science And Technology one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,786. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $89,596. Set against $22,786 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $81,813. Set against $22,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #4. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,068. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $71,072. Set against $26,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $72,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #6 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,090. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $70,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $71,318. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #8 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $32,274. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $69,638. Set against $32,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Kansas landed the #9 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $70,726. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #10 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $85,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota earned the #11 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $73,603. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $67,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $72,627. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #14 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,886 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,919. Set against $27,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #15 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,250. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $71,800 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
South Dakota State University came in at #16 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #17 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology generally make around $69,667. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #18 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $79,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Loras College earned the #19 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,824. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Loras College earn a median of $43,117 early in their careers. Set against $26,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #20 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,109. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $71,732. That is a strong return on a $23,109 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $74,209 early in their careers. Set against $25,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #22 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $73,622. Set against $26,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Dordt College landed the #23 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,050. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,812. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $54,926. That is a strong return on a $21,812 median debt. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Benedictine College placed #24 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $71,539. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general mechanical engineering value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
