2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Iowa

[Mechanical Engineering](/majors/engineering/me-mechanical-engineering/) 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 5 schools to find the best return on investment for mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mechanical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Iowa State University the best value for a degree in mechanical engineering in Iowa. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $85,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Loras College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $43,117. That is a strong return on a $26,528 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #3 place for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,109 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $71,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Saint Ambrose University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $26,996. Soon after graduation, 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. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Dordt College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,050. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
More Mechanical Engineering Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.