2026 Best Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for engineering. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 706 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $96,235 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,688. More information about a degree in engineering from Washington University In St Louis

2

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

A rank of #2 makes Wartburg College one of the top schools for engineering. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Wartburg College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Wartburg College earn around $46,918 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,793. More information about a degree in engineering from Wartburg College

3

Doane College Crete
Crete, NE

Doane College Crete is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in engineering, ranking #3. Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crete. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 18 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Doane College Crete in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Doane College Crete earn around $53,500 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,802 to complete this degree. Get the full engineering details for Doane College Crete

4

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,110 engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $77,469. Typical student debt for the program is $22,324. Read more about the engineering program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

5

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,489 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Iowa State University earn around $79,433 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,874 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for Iowa State University

6

Northwestern College Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Northwestern College Minnesota landed the #6 spot for engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern College Minnesota graduates 68% of students within six years. Northwestern College Minnesota awarded about 18 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $68,516 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for Northwestern College Minnesota

7

Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College came in at #7 for engineering this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cornell College awarded about 11 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $35,545. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full engineering details for Cornell College

8

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #8 among the best engineering schools. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 1,267 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Missouri University Of Science And Technology in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $78,108 early in their careers. Missouri University Of Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $25,808 in student loans. More information about a degree in engineering from Missouri University Of Science And Technology

9

Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

Bethel University Minnesota placed #9 among the best engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. About 18 engineering degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Bethel University Minnesota earn around $61,465 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from Bethel University Minnesota

10

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 511 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $73,160 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,390 in student loans. Read more about the engineering program at University Of Missouri Columbia

11

William Jewell College
Liberty, MO

William Jewell College earned the #11 position for engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. William Jewell College awarded about 10 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $48,588 in their early career. William Jewell College graduates carry a median of $25,950 in student loans. More information about a degree in engineering from William Jewell College

12

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 77% of students finish within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 211 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $70,954. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the engineering program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

13

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri earned the #13 position for engineering this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 42 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $45,496. University Of Central Missouri graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. See the full engineering program report for University Of Central Missouri

14

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #14 spot for engineering this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 594 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $76,877 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,465. Get the full engineering details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

15

Normandale Community College
Bloomington, MN

Normandale Community College earned the #15 position for engineering this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Normandale Community College awarded about 17 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $53,871 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,162. More information about a degree in engineering from Normandale Community College

16

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas earned the #16 position for engineering this year. 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. University Of Kansas awarded about 538 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $74,135 in their early career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $24,110 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for University Of Kansas

17

Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College came in at #17 for engineering this year. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine College awarded about 35 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their 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. See the full engineering program report for Benedictine College

18

Anoka Ramsey Community College
Coon Rapids, MN

Anoka Ramsey Community College came in at #18 for engineering this year. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. There were roughly 22 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Anoka Ramsey Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $44,293. Typical student debt for the program is $22,593. More information about a degree in engineering from Anoka Ramsey Community College

19

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #19 for engineering this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 501 engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $72,559 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,171 in student loans. Read more about the engineering program at University Of Iowa

20

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #20 spot for engineering this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. There were roughly 12 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn around $46,660 in the first couple years of their career. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

21

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College earned the #21 position for engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 16 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for Des Moines Area Community College

22

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota came in at #22 for engineering this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. About 15 engineering degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering degree from University Of South Dakota earn around $51,566 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from University Of South Dakota

23

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 451 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $73,393 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,859. Read more about the engineering program at Kansas State University

24

College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks landed the #24 spot for engineering this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 engineering students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Ozarks in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from College Of The Ozarks earn around $37,944 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the engineering program at College Of The Ozarks

25

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for engineering this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 354 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn around $73,810 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,817. See the full engineering program report for North Dakota State University Main Campus