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

1

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical 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. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,786 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $89,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general mechanical engineering, landing the #2 spot 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 general mechanical engineering graduates is $26,068. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $71,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,068 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #3 place for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,077. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $81,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

4

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

A rank of #4 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $21,658. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $68,018. Set against $21,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Students looking for strong value in general mechanical engineering will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $32,274 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $69,638. That is a strong return on a $32,274 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.

6

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $72,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #7 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $70,726. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University earned the #8 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Students borrow a median of $27,090 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $70,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

9

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University landed the #9 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. 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 $23,500 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $85,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #10 for value in general mechanical engineering 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. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $71,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

11

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $72,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

12

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University landed the #12 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $67,791 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #13 position for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $67,764. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #14 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. 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. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $22,250. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $71,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.

16

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #16 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,886. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $68,919 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

17

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Rapid City, SD

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology placed #17 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. Set in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,500, compared with $14,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $27,000. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $69,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #18 among the best values for general mechanical engineering. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $23,109. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $71,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

19

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $79,569. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

20

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $26,996 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $73,622. Set against $26,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

21

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College landed the #21 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete the general mechanical engineering program here. General Mechanical Engineering graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

22

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for general mechanical engineering value this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,665 in student loans. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $74,209. Set against $25,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

23

Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $71,539. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

24

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #24 for value in general mechanical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,226. Typical student debt for general mechanical engineering graduates is $25,639. Early-career general mechanical engineering graduates make about $61,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

25

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general mechanical engineering schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. General Mechanical Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $84,990. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.