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2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k

22 Ranked Colleges
2,950 Degrees Awarded
$20,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Mechanical Engineering is the 21st most popular major in the country with 46,178 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the mechanical engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The me school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income $75-$110k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized public school situated in Rolla, Missouri. It awarded 272 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri University of Science and Technology also took the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology is $14,755 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Mechanical Engineering Report

2

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 451 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $17,806 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Iowa State University Mechanical Engineering Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 285 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #2 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,938 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Mechanical Engineering Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 170 ’s 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. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $17,909 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 more about Mechanical Engineering at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Mizzou is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 168 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also took the #5 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $19,956 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Mizzou

6
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 112 degrees to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, UND has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $17,859 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UND Mechanical Engineering Report

7

University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 151 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $19,553 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, 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 85%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UNL

8

Washington University in St Louis landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 156 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington University in St Louis is $23,508 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at WUSTL

9
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $20,719 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Iowa.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Iowa

10
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 182 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $20,156 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Kansas State University Mechanical Engineering Report

11

Wichita State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 102 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, WSU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wichita State University is $17,903 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Wichita State University

12
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 140 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, KU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $22,804 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full University of Kansas Mechanical Engineering Report

13

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 79 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, UMKC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,700 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City.

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%.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Mechanical Engineering Report

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 121 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,107 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 UMN Duluth

15
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 80 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $20,393 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State University Mechanical Engineering Report

16

With a ranking of #16, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. SD Mines 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.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, SD Mines has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SD Mines is $21,542 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Full South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Mechanical Engineering Report

17

University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $17,257 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Mechanical Engineering Report

18
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 36 ’s ME 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. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $17,440 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Mechanical Engineering Report

19

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 31 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $18,728 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 full report on Mechanical Engineering at Minnesota State University - Mankato

20

With a ranking of #20, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 105 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k list, UST MN has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UST MN is $30,108 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of St Thomas Minnesota

21
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Saint Louis University is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 22 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

SLU also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis University is $24,055 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at SLU

22
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Dordt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sioux Center, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dordt, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dordt is $26,186 for plains states region me students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Dordt University

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