2027 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
Mechanical Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for mechanical engineering students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Mechanical Engineering in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall mechanical engineering education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Mechanical Engineering
Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for mechanical engineering. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 167 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $79,569 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Washington University In St Louis
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 259 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $81,813 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #3. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 176 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $71,800. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Missouri Columbia
Iowa State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 363 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $85,726 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Iowa State University
Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rolla. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates 64% of students within six years. About 195 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $89,596 early in their careers. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $22,786 in student loans.
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Bethel University Minnesota landed the #6 spot for mechanical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. About 14 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Typical student debt for the program is $25,639.
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Loras College came in at #7 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Loras College graduates 68% of students within six years. About 16 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Loras College in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $43,117 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Loras College
University Of Iowa placed #8 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 130 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $71,732. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,109 in student loans.
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Benedictine College placed #9 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Atchison. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine College in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $71,539 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,990.
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Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #10 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 27 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $74,209 early in their careers. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Saint Louis University Main Campus
University Of Kansas earned the #11 position for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Kansas awarded about 113 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $70,726 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
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University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #12 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 140 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $71,318 early in their careers. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Kansas State University placed #13 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Kansas State University awarded about 136 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $72,627 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #14 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 96 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $84,990 in the first couple years of their career. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of North Dakota ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. About 60% of students finish within six years. University Of North Dakota awarded about 99 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $73,603 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of North Dakota
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 133 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $72,158. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 106 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $67,764 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Minnesota Duluth
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Rapid City. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 111 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology generally make around $69,667. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #19 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 53 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $71,072 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,068.
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Wichita State University earned the #20 position for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 85 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $68,018. Students borrow a median of $21,658 to complete this degree.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Wichita State University
South Dakota State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $67,791 in their early career. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for South Dakota State University
Saint Cloud State University landed the #22 spot for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. About 29 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $70,179. Students borrow a median of $27,090 to complete this degree.
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Dordt College came in at #23 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Dordt College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $54,926 in their early career. Dordt College graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans.
See the full mechanical engineering program report for Dordt College
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 33 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $68,919. Students borrow a median of $27,886 to complete this degree.
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Saint Ambrose University placed #25 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $73,622 in their early career. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Saint Ambrose University
Rest of the Top 26 Mechanical Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong mechanical engineering education:
Narrow Mechanical Engineering Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 26 schools evaluated.
- 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.