2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Crowder College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,887. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,869. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.

2

College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

3

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #3. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,866. Early-career engineering graduates make about $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Moberly Area Community College
Moberly, MO

Moberly Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,507 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.

6

Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Hibbing, MN

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,029. Engineering graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #8 spot for engineering value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.

9

Anoka Ramsey Community College
Coon Rapids, MN

Anoka Ramsey Community College placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $22,593. Early-career engineering graduates make about $44,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College placed #10 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,583 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Minnesota State Community And Technical College
Fergus Falls, MN

Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $18,197. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,972. Set against $18,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Normandale Community College
Bloomington, MN

Normandale Community College placed #12 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,162 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $53,871. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

East Central College
Union, MO

East Central College landed the #13 spot for engineering value this year. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,062. Engineering graduates of East Central College earn a median of $37,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,808. Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $78,108 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #15 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,233 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $70,697. Set against $25,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

16

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #16 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,781. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $78,253. Set against $27,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

17

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri came in at #17 for value in engineering this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,496. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #18 spot for engineering value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $77,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

19

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University earned the #19 position for value in engineering this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,399 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,430. That is a strong return on a $24,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

20

William Jewell College
Liberty, MO

William Jewell College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,610. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from William Jewell College generally make around $48,588. Set against $25,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

21

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,854. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.

22

Butler Community College
El Dorado, KS

Butler Community College landed the #22 spot for engineering value this year. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,670. Engineering graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,817 in student loans. Engineering graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $73,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,817 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

24

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #24 among the best values for engineering. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,110. Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $74,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,110 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

25

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #25 for value in engineering this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $76,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.