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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/) 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 25 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

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in electrical engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Electrical Engineering Schools

1

Leading the list is Missouri University Of Science And Technology, our #1 best value for electrical engineering in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $81,204. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $79,808. That is a strong return on a $17,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $78,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

4
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $81,330. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in electrical engineering will find it at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $22,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $75,212 early in their careers. 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 ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $30,088. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $69,943. That is a strong return on a $30,088 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.

7

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #7 spot for electrical engineering value this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $19,750. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $78,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

Iowa State University landed the #8 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

9

Kansas State University placed #9 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $23,105. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $78,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

10

South Dakota State University placed #10 among the best values for electrical engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $24,989. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #11 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $26,471. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $74,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

12

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $22,499 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $85,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,499 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of North Dakota placed #13 among the best values for electrical engineering. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $27,000. Electrical Engineering graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $78,285 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

14

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value electrical engineering schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Electrical Engineering graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $71,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

15

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #15 for value in electrical engineering this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. Students from in state pay about $10,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $22,541. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $73,551. 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 landed the #16 spot for electrical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $70,686. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.

17

Washington University In St Louis earned the #17 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the electrical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, electrical engineering degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $104,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

18

Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in electrical engineering this year. 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. Electrical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Electrical Engineering graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #19 position for value in electrical engineering this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Typical student debt for electrical engineering graduates is $27,000. Early-career electrical engineering graduates make about $67,043. 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 · 25 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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