2023 Best Value Colleges for Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
25
Ranked Colleges
11,973
Degrees Awarded
$13,000
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
With 198,468 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, engineering is the 7th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $68,653 and had an average of $23,855 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 11,973 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $66,381 and $24,851 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the engineering program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Engineering Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 658 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
WUSTL also made our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend WUSTL is $1,556 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Engineering at WUSTL
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 1,312 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Full UMN Twin Cities Engineering Report
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 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Ames, Iowa, this large public school awarded 1,913 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $9,766 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Engineering at Iowa State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized public school situated in Rolla, Missouri. It awarded 1,478 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Missouri University of Science and Technology did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri University of Science and Technology is $7,356 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology
Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 309 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
UMN Duluth also made our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $7,843 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Engineering at University of Minnesota - Duluth
University of Missouri - Columbia came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 511 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $11,005 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 Mizzou Engineering Report
University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 670 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,672 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on Engineering at UNL
North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 450 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,835 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State University.
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 more about Engineering at North Dakota State University
University of Iowa landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 577 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,554 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, 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%.
Read full report on Engineering at University of Iowa
University of North Dakota landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 307 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UND also took the #12 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,394 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UND.
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%.
Full UND Engineering Report
With a ranking of #11, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 579 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, K -State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $13,436 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Engineering at Kansas State University
University of Kansas came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 498 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $15,666 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Engineering at KU
University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 205 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
UMKC also made our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $12,724 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Engineering at UMKC
Wichita State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Wichita State University is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 471 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, WSU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $11,687 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Engineering at Wichita State University
University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 71 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UMSL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMSL is $9,991 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Engineering at University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. St. Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 130 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
St. Cloud State University also took the #23 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,348 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Cloud State University Engineering Report
Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $11,721 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Engineering at Winona State
Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 147 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,692 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Engineering at Minnesota State Mankato
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SD Mines is a small school located in Rapid City, South Dakota that handed out 377 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
SD Mines not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend SD Mines is $16,705 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Full South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Engineering Report
South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 179 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,171 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Dakota State University.
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 full report on Engineering at South Dakota State University
With a ranking of #21, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
UCM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $11,006 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Engineering at UCM
Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Saint Louis University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 206 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.
SLU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Louis University is $15,136 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 more about Engineering at SLU
With a ranking of #23, Dunwoody College of Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dunwoody College of Technology is a small school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 32 ’s engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Dunwoody College of Technology not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $24,540 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dunwoody College of Technology.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Engineering at Dunwoody College of Technology
University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. University of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 210 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UST MN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $32,436 for Plains States Region Engineering students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of St Thomas Minnesota.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Engineering at UST MN
Dordt University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 53 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Dordt has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dordt is $20,035 for plains states region engineering students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Engineering at Dordt University
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