2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Minnesota
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mechanical engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools in Minnesota
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mechanical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mechanical Engineering Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among mechanical engineering schools in Minnesota. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $81,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,090. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $70,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,090 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mechanical engineering will find it at University Of Minnesota Duluth, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $67,764. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #4 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the best values for mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $27,886 to complete the mechanical engineering program here. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $68,919. Set against $27,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Bethel University Minnesota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Early-career mechanical engineering graduates make about $61,465. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #6 among the best values for mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Typical student debt for mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $84,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
More Mechanical Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
