College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region

30 Ranked Colleges
$28,500 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Mechanical Engineering is the 21st most popular major in the country with 44,794 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $68,989 and had an average of $22,844 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,877 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $67,644 and $23,280 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. That schools that top this list have a program in mechanical engineering in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Mechanical Engineering Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More ME Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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.

Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Rapid City, South Dakota, and it awarded 110 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is located in Rolla, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 278 ’s me degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Mechanical Engineering Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region. Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 406 ’s me degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, 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 88%.

Full Iowa State Mechanical Engineering Report

4

Out of the 30 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 160 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 North Dakota State University - Main Campus

5
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

Out of the 30 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Dordt University landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and it awarded 19 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Dordt Mechanical Engineering Report

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 109 degrees to qualified ’s me students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Minnesota - Duluth

7
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, Kansas

Benedictine College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Benedictine College is a small school located in Atchison, Kansas that handed out 18 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Benedictine College

8

With a ranking of #8, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 100 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UST MN Mechanical Engineering Report

9
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #9, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region list. University of North Dakota is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 87 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UND

10
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. South Dakota State is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University

11
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s me degrees to 194 students in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Kansas State University

12

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s me degrees to 106 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Full WSU Mechanical Engineering Report

13

Washington University in St Louis landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region 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 152 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, 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 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full WUSTL Mechanical Engineering Report

14
UJ crest
University of Jamestown
Jamestown, North Dakota

With a ranking of #14, University of Jamestown did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region list. UJ is a small school located in Jamestown, North Dakota that handed out 8 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Jamestown

15

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 162 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UNL

16

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 56 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 UMKC

17

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 269 ’s me degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UMN Twin Cities

18
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #18, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 108 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

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 1.2% 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 Kansas Mechanical Engineering Report

19

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 138 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, 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 88%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Mizzou

20

Saint Ambrose University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking. St. Ambrose University is a small school located in Davenport, Iowa that handed out 19 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at St. Ambrose University

21
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #21. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 34 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at St. Cloud State University

22
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 104 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Iowa

23
Dunwoody College of Technology crest
Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dunwoody College of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. Dunwoody College of Technology is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 ’s me degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Dunwoody College of Technology

24

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #24. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 39 ’s me degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - St Louis Mechanical Engineering Report

25

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on ME Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 36 ’s me degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Minnesota State Mankato

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options