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2023 Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Mechanical Engineering in the Plains States Region

30 Ranked Colleges
2,609 Degrees Awarded
$64,978 Avg Salary
Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor's

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s” ranking - to help you make that 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. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 2,609 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,046 and $29,021 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s” ranking analyzed 30 colleges that offered a degree in mechanical engineering. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in mechanical engineering.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree me students.

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #1 for the Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s. Iowa State University is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 451 bachelors’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University

2

Out of the 30 schools in the Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Rolla, Missouri, and it awarded 233 bachelors’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 Missouri University of Science and Technology Mechanical Engineering Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 200 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

4
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Kansas State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 175 bachelors’s ME degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Kansas State University

5

Out of the 30 schools in the Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s ME degrees to 163 students in 2020-2021.

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 North Dakota State University

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s ME degrees to 145 students in 2020-2021.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Mechanical Engineering Report

7
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 132 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s ME students in 2020-2021.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Kansas

7

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 132 degrees to qualified bachelors’s ME students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Mechanical Engineering Report

9

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 113 bachelors’s ME degrees to qualified students.

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 University of Minnesota - Duluth

10
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 104 bachelors’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

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 88%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Iowa

11
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 103 bachelors’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of North Dakota

12

Washington University in St Louis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s ME degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at WUSTL

13

University of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 93 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s ME students in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at UST MN

14

Wichita State University ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Wichita State University is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 86 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full WSU Mechanical Engineering Report

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

South Dakota State University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s list. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 69 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s ME students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State University

16

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Rapid City, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s ME degrees to 64 students in 2020-2021.

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

17

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 61 bachelors’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

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

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

Saint Cloud State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Saint Cloud, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s ME degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.

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 more about Mechanical Engineering at Saint Cloud State University

19

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Mechanical Engineering Report

20

University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking, coming in at #20. UMSL is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 27 bachelors’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

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 more about Mechanical Engineering at UMSL

21
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

Dordt University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Dordt is a small school located in Sioux Center, Iowa that handed out 23 bachelors’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

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 full report on Mechanical Engineering at Dordt University

22
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 SLU Mechanical Engineering Report

23
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, Kansas

Benedictine College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Benedictine College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Atchison, Kansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Benedictine College

24

Saint Ambrose University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Davenport, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at St. Ambrose University

25
UJ crest
University of Jamestown
Jamestown, North Dakota

University of Jamestown came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended ME Major in the Plains States Region for a Bachelor’s ranking. Located in Jamestown, North Dakota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 degrees to qualified bachelors’s ME students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Jamestown

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