2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Minnesota

[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in Minnesota
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
Our analysis ranked Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College the best value for a degree in engineering in Minnesota. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Century College earned it the #2 place for engineering. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Students borrow a median of $15,583 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $47,502. Set against $15,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Crookston one of the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,288. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,661. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston generally make around $48,840. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #4 spot 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. Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Normandale Community College earned it the #5 place for engineering. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,329. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $20,162. Early-career engineering graduates make about $53,871. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $28,500. Early-career engineering graduates make about $75,711. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #7 spot for engineering value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, 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.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,263 in student loans. Engineering graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $67,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,263 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,467 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $69,719 early in their careers. Set against $26,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Dunwoody College Of Technology placed #11 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,477. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $34,996. Early-career engineering graduates make about $77,857. Set against $34,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #12 for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,920. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,505. Early-career engineering graduates make about $68,516. Set against $23,505 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern College Minnesota admits about 94% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota came in at #13 for value in engineering this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #14 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $69,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.