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2027 Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

26 Colleges in the United States
2,656 General Mechanical Engineering Degrees Awarded
$71,446 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Mechanical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general mechanical engineering programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools to find the best for general mechanical engineering students.

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Best Schools for General Mechanical Engineering in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general mechanical engineering education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in General Mechanical Engineering

1

Washington University In St Louis tops our 2027 ranking of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 167 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $79,569. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for Washington University In St Louis

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 259 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $81,813 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 176 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $71,800 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

4

Iowa State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 363 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $85,726 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Iowa State University

5

Students looking for a strong general mechanical engineering program will find one at Missouri University Of Science And Technology, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rolla. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates 64% of students within six years. About 195 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $89,596 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,786 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Missouri University Of Science And Technology

6

Bethel University Minnesota placed #6 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $61,465 in their early career. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Bethel University Minnesota

7
Loras College crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA

Loras College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Loras College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $43,117 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,528. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Loras College

8
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa earned the #8 position for general mechanical engineering this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 130 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $71,732. Students borrow a median of $23,109 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Iowa

9
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College landed the #9 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 28 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Benedictine College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $71,539. Benedictine College graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Benedictine College

10

Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 27 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $74,209 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,665 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Saint Louis University Main Campus

11
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas earned the #11 position for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of Kansas awarded about 113 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Kansas earn around $70,726 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. See the full general mechanical engineering program report for University Of Kansas

12

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #12 for general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 140 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $71,318 early in their careers. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

13

Kansas State University landed the #13 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 136 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Kansas State University earn around $72,627 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at Kansas State University

14

University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 96 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $84,990 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

15

University Of North Dakota placed #15 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 99 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $73,603. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of North Dakota

16

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #16 for general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 133 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $72,158. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from North Dakota State University Main Campus

17

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #17 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 106 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $67,764 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

18

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #18 for general mechanical engineering this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology awarded about 111 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $69,667 early in their careers. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

19

University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best general mechanical engineering schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 53 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $71,072. Typical student debt for the program is $26,068. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from University Of Missouri Kansas City

20

Wichita State University placed #20 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 85 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general mechanical engineering program make about $68,018 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,658. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Wichita State University

21

South Dakota State University came in at #21 for general mechanical engineering this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from South Dakota State University earn around $67,791 in the first couple years of their career. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general mechanical engineering program at South Dakota State University

22

Saint Cloud State University landed the #22 spot for general mechanical engineering this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 general mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $70,179. Saint Cloud State University graduates carry a median of $27,090 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Saint Cloud State University

23
Dordt College crest
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College came in at #23 for general mechanical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Sioux Center. About 74% of students finish within six years. Dordt College awarded about 25 general mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Dordt College earn around $54,926 in the first couple years of their career. Dordt College graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Dordt College

24

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #24 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general mechanical engineering degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $68,919 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,886 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general mechanical engineering from Minnesota State University Mankato

25

Saint Ambrose University placed #25 among the best general mechanical engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Davenport. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 general mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $73,622 early in their careers. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Get the full general mechanical engineering details for Saint Ambrose University

Rest of the Top 26 General Mechanical Engineering Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general mechanical engineering this year:

26

Narrow General Mechanical Engineering Schools by State

View All General Mechanical Engineering Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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