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

45 Ranked Colleges
2,394 Degrees Awarded
$8,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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 Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 86,730 people earned their degree in engineering technologies, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, engineering technologies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $46,894 and had an average of $21,178 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 6,838 engineering technologies graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,288 and $19,942 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 2,394 engineering technologies graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,069 and $19,434 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 45 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in engineering technologies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great engineering technologies 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 technologies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Engineering Technologies (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bismarck State College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bismarck State College is a public institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 200 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

BSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend BSC is $6,205 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Engineering Technologies at BSC

#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southeast Community College Area. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s engineering tech degrees to 101 students in 2019-2020.

Southeast Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Community College Area is $6,946 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Engineering Technologies at Southeast Community College Area

#3

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska
#19 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northeast Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northeast is located in Norfolk, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 associates’s engineering tech degrees to qualified students.

Northeast did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northeast is $6,726 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at Northeast Community College

#4

North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, North Dakota
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State College of Science. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Dakota State College of Science is a public institution located in Wahpeton, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 68 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State College of Science did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,720 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Dakota State College of Science.

Read more about Engineering Technologies at North Dakota State College of Science

#5

South Central College

North Mankato, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Central College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. South Central College is located in North Mankato, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 48 associates’s engineering tech degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k list, South Central College has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Central College is $8,609 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at South Central College

#6

Central Community College

Grand Island, Nebraska

Central Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Grand Island, Nebraska. It awarded 24 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Central Community College is $6,332 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at Central Community College

#18 in overall quality

Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sioux City, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified associates’s engineering tech students in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Iowa Tech Community College is $5,665 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Northwest Iowa Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sheldon, Iowa, this small public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified associates’s engineering tech students in 2019-2020.

Northwest Iowa Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Iowa Community College is $9,985 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Engineering Technologies at Northwest Iowa Community College

Indian Hills Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Ottumwa, Iowa, this small public school handed out 41 degrees to qualified associates’s engineering tech students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for IHCC is $5,644 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at IHCC

#23 in overall quality

Missouri Southern State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri Southern is a medium-sized public school situated in Joplin, Missouri. It awarded 20 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri Southern also took the #23 spot in our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,882 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri Southern State University.

Read more about Engineering Technologies at Missouri Southern

With a ranking of #11, St Cloud Technical and Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 63 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,142 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St Cloud Technical and Community College.

Full St Cloud Technical and Community College Engineering Technologies Report

#12

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Kirkwood Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this fairly large public school handed out 76 diplomas to qualified associates’s engineering tech students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Kirkwood Community College is $8,067 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at Kirkwood Community College

#13

Lake Area Technical Institute

Watertown, South Dakota
#5 in overall quality

Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution located in Watertown, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 55 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

LATI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for LATI is $9,287 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Engineering Technologies at Lake Area Technical Institute

#25 in overall quality

Des Moines Area Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. DMACC is a public institution located in Ankeny, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

DMACC also took the #25 spot in our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DMACC is $7,776 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Engineering Technologies at Des Moines Area Community College

#15

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
#8 in overall quality

Hennepin Technical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and it awarded 138 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k list, Hennepin Technical College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,295 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hennepin Technical College.

Full Hennepin Technical College Engineering Technologies Report

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, State Technical College of Missouri did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. State Technical College of Missouri is a small public school situated in Linn, Missouri. It awarded 76 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

STC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend STC is $9,576 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at STC

#17

Ranken Technical College

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

Ranken Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ranken Technical College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 154 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

Ranken Technical College also made our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Ranken Technical College is $13,980 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Ranken Technical College Engineering Technologies Report

#18

Ridgewater College

Willmar, Minnesota
#9 in overall quality

Ridgewater College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Willmar, Minnesota, and it awarded 42 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

Ridgewater College also made our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Ridgewater College is $9,547 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at Ridgewater College

#19

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota
#24 in overall quality

Dakota County Technical College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Rosemount, Minnesota, and it awarded 49 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

DCTC also made our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for DCTC is $8,042 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at Dakota County Technical College

#20

Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell, South Dakota
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Mitchell Technical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Mitchell, South Dakota, and it awarded 54 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mitchell Tech has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mitchell Tech is $9,349 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at Mitchell Technical College

#21

Anoka Technical College

Anoka, Minnesota
#15 in overall quality

Anoka Technical College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Anoka Technical College is a small school located in Anoka, Minnesota that handed out 71 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k list, Anoka Technical College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,326 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Anoka Technical College.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at Anoka Technical College

#17 in overall quality

Alexandria Technical & Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Alexandria Technical & Community College is located in Alexandria, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 associates’s engineering tech degrees to qualified students.

ATCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend ATCC is $10,676 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Engineering Technologies at ATCC

#23

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Century College is a medium-sized public school situated in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It awarded 26 associates’s engineering tech degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $9,460 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Engineering Technologies at Century College

#24

Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls, Minnesota

Northland Community and Technical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, this small public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified associates’s engineering tech students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,516 for plains states region associate degree engineering tech students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northland Community and Technical College.

Read more about Engineering Technologies at Northland Community and Technical College

#25

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, Kansas
#16 in overall quality

Pittsburg State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Tech Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pittsburg State University is a public institution located in Pittsburg, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitt State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Engineering Technologies Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pitt State is $10,638 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Engineering Tech students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Pittsburg State University Engineering Technologies Report

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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.

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