If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering-related fields degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Missouri University Of Science And Technology the best value for a degree in engineering-related fields in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $80,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering-related fields schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,262. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,076. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $51,625. Set against $25,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering-related fields, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #5 place for engineering-related fields. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $23,289. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $43,255. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Kansas placed #6 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $122,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #7 among the best values for engineering-related fields. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $24,408. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $84,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Iowa State University came in at #8 for value in engineering-related fields this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering-related fields graduates is $25,236. Soon after graduation, engineering-related fields degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $62,416. Set against $25,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University placed #9 among the best values for engineering-related fields. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the engineering-related fields program here. Engineering-Related Fields graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University landed the #10 spot for engineering-related fields value this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Engineering-Related Fields graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Early-career engineering-related fields graduates make about $50,003. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Engineering-Related Fields](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
