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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

18 Colleges in the United States
$24,359 Avg Student Debt
$64,831 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Badge [Electrical Engineering](/majors/engineering/ee-electrical-engineering/electrical-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for electrical engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the electrical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools

1

Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #1 spot for value among electrical engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $81,204 early in their careers. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,998 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $79,808. That is a strong return on a $17,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

3

University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $78,941. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #4 place for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $81,330. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for electrical engineering. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $75,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

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6

Saint Cloud State University placed #6 among the best values for electrical engineering. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,088 in student loans. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $69,943. That is a strong return on a $30,088 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

7

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #7 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $78,101 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

8

Iowa State University came in at #8 for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $96,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

Kansas State University earned the #9 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,105 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

10

South Dakota State University landed the #10 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

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11

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,471 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $74,197. That is a strong return on a $26,471 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #12 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,499 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $85,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of North Dakota ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $78,285. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.

14

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #14 for value in electrical engineering this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $71,676. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

15

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #15 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, while out-of-state students pay about $14,900. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $22,541. Electrical Engineering graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $73,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

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16
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #16 among the best values for electrical engineering. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $70,686. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

17

Washington University In St Louis placed #17 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $104,747. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.

18

Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $26,586. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #19 among the best values for electrical engineering. 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. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $27,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $67,043 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 24 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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