2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Engineering Technology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Engineering Technology Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Engineering Technology is the 196th most popular major in the country with 4,056 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Plains States region, there were 247 engineering technology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 43 engineering technology graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,069 and $19,434 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering Technology Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 4 colleges that offered a degree in engineering technology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great engineering technology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the engineering technology program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The engineering technology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Engineering Technology Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Engineering Technology Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Engineering Technology Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 4 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Engineering Technology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota

#2 in overall quality

$6,205 Average Net Price

Out of the 4 schools in the Best Value Engineering Technology Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bismarck State College landed the #1 spot on the list. Bismarck State College is a public institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

BSC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Engineering Technology Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bismarck State College is $6,205 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Technology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bismarck State College Engineering Technology Report

#2

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

#3 in overall quality

$9,460 Average Net Price

Out of the 4 schools in the Best Value Engineering Technology Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Century College landed the #2 spot on the list. Century College is a public institution located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree engineering technology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Century College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Engineering Technology Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $9,460 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Technology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Century College Engineering Technology Report

#3

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas

#1 in overall quality

$14,232 Average Net Price

Out of the 4 schools in the Best Value Engineering Technology Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Kansas State University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 8 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

K -State also took the #1 spot in our “Best Engineering Technology Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $14,232 for plains states region associate degree engineering technology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Engineering Technology at K -State

#4

Iowa Central Community College

Fort Dodge, Iowa

#4 in overall quality

$7,979 Average Net Price

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa Central Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa Central Community College is a small school located in Fort Dodge, Iowa that handed out 10 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa Central Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Engineering Technology Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa Central Community College is $7,979 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Technology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Engineering Technology at Iowa Central Community College

• Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Engineering Technology (Income $0-$30k)

Notes and References

References

• 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).
• Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

• *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
• Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

• Credit for the banner image above goes to KUKA Systems GmbH.

Featured Engineering Schools

Request Info

Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More >