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

1

Moberly Area Community College
Moberly, MO

Moberly Area Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. Set against $12,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Students looking for strong value in general engineering will find it at Ozarks Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.

3

College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

4

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

A rank of #4 makes Metropolitan Community College Kansas City one of the best values for general engineering. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jefferson College earned it the #5 place for general engineering. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $13,664. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $47,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College came in at #6 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

East Central College
Union, MO

East Central College landed the #7 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $37,925. Set against $12,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #8 among the best values for general engineering. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $22,386. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $109,909. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

9

Butler Community College
El Dorado, KS

Butler Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,670 median debt.

10

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #10 among the best values for general engineering. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $27,627 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $68,044. That is a strong return on a $27,627 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

11

Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College landed the #11 spot for general engineering value this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $35,545. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

12

Northwestern College Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #12 for value in general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,920. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,505. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $68,516. That is a strong return on a $23,505 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. General Engineering graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $67,482 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

14

Doane College Crete
Crete, NE

Doane College Crete ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crete. In-state tuition and fees average $41,985. Students borrow a median of $28,802 to complete the general engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Doane College Crete generally make around $53,500. Set against $28,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.