2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Leading the list is St Charles Community College, our #1 best value for engineering in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at College Of The Ozarks, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,956. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College placed #6 among the best values for engineering. State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #7 spot for engineering value this year. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #8 for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $48,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Century College earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,583 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,583 median debt.
Fort Hays State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $49,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College came in at #11 for value in engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $18,197. Engineering graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,197 median debt.
Normandale Community College placed #12 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,162. Engineering graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #13 spot for engineering value this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,496. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #14 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,233. Early-career engineering graduates make about $70,704. Set against $25,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wichita State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,399 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #16 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $28,500. Engineering graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $75,711 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #17 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. 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 $22,324 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $76,501 early in their careers. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #18 among the best values for engineering. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,808 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $78,158. That is a strong return on a $25,808 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $73,834. Set against $23,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College earned the #20 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,404. That is a strong return on a $16,670 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,781 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $77,954. That is a strong return on a $27,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #22 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $76,503. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #23 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,874 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $80,285 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,874 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Kansas placed #24 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,110 in student loans. Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $75,178 early in their careers. Set against $24,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota earned the #25 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $48,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
