2026 Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in mechanical engineering. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 164 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $79,569 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Washington University In St Louis

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 238 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $81,813 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at Iowa State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 369 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $85,726 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University

4

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 246 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $89,596 in their early career. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $22,786 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Missouri University Of Science And Technology

5

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

Students looking for a strong mechanical engineering program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 184 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $71,800 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Missouri Columbia

6

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota placed #6 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 10 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Bethel University Minnesota

7

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #7 for mechanical engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 137 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Iowa earn around $71,732 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,109 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Iowa

8

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #8 spot for mechanical engineering this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 104 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $84,990. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

9

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 138 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $70,726 in their early career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Kansas

10

Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College came in at #10 for mechanical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Atchison. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 28 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Benedictine College earn around $71,539 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,990. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Benedictine College

11

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University came in at #11 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 141 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $72,627. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Kansas State University

12

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #12 among the best mechanical engineering schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 129 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $71,318 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

13

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #13 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 112 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $67,764. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Minnesota Duluth

14

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #14 for mechanical engineering this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 139 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $72,158 early in their careers. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from North Dakota State University Main Campus

15

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Louis. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 24 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $74,209 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,665. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Saint Louis University Main Campus

16

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
Rapid City, SD

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology placed #16 among the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 93 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mechanical engineering degree recipients from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology generally make around $69,667. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

17

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. University Of North Dakota awarded about 86 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $73,603 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from University Of North Dakota

18

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #18 for mechanical engineering this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 53 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $71,072 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,068 to complete this degree. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at University Of Missouri Kansas City

19

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University earned the #19 position for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. South Dakota State University awarded about 81 mechanical engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from South Dakota State University earn around $67,791 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at South Dakota State University

20

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $68,018 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,658. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Wichita State University

21

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #21 among the best mechanical engineering schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. About 41 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $68,919 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $27,886 in student loans. See the full mechanical engineering program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

22

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 mechanical engineering degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mechanical engineering degree from Saint Cloud State University earn around $70,179 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Cloud State University graduates carry a median of $27,090 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Saint Cloud State University

23

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College came in at #23 for mechanical engineering this year. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 13 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Dordt College in the most recent data year. Mechanical Engineering graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mechanical engineering from Dordt College

24

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University earned the #24 position for mechanical engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Davenport. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 11 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $73,622 in their early career. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Read more about the mechanical engineering program at Saint Ambrose University

25

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best mechanical engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 mechanical engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program make about $69,638 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,274. See the full mechanical engineering program report for University Of Missouri St Louis