2023 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
22
Ranked Colleges
2,950
Degrees Awarded
$13,300
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
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 For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 22 colleges that offered a degree in mechanical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality mechanical engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the mechanical engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. WUSTL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 156 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WUSTL is $2,446 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, 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 94%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 285 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $8,609 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UMN Twin Cities
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is located in Rolla, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 272 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri University of Science and Technology, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri University of Science and Technology is $9,820 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.
Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Mechanical Engineering Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa State University is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 451 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,427 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #5 spot on the list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 121 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Duluth also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth is $8,697 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 full report on Mechanical Engineering at UMN Duluth
University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 168 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.
Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $11,386 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Mizzou
With a ranking of #7, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 170 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $12,735 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at North Dakota State University - Main Campus
University of North Dakota came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 112 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,151 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UND.
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 University of North Dakota Mechanical Engineering Report
University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 151 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNL also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $13,453 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Nebraska - Lincoln Mechanical Engineering Report
University of Iowa landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 121 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k 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 $15,508 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 University of Iowa
With a ranking of #11, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 27 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMSL has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,324 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMSL.
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 UMSL
Kansas State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 182 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
K -State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,653 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend K -State.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full Kansas State University Mechanical Engineering Report
With a ranking of #13, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 140 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.
KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,288 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Kansas.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Kansas
With a ranking of #14, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 79 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
UMKC also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $13,751 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Mechanical Engineering Report
With a ranking of #15, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wichita State University is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 102 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,272 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wichita State University.
Full Wichita State University Mechanical Engineering Report
Saint Cloud State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. St. Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,825 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.
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 full report on Mechanical Engineering at Saint Cloud State University
With a ranking of #17, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 80 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,846 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Dakota State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution located in Rapid City, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees 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 yearly cost to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $16,736 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 SD Mines
Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 31 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $12,263 for plains states region me students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 more about Mechanical Engineering at Minnesota State Mankato
Saint Louis University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,755 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Louis University.
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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Saint Louis University Mechanical Engineering Report
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