2027 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 82 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering technologies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technologies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
For return on investment in engineering technologies, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,799. Engineering Technologies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,218. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hutchinson Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering technologies. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,148 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $42,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colby Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering technologies. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,796 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,598. That is a strong return on a $14,796 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for engineering technologies. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,362. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $39,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Northeast Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,937. Engineering Technologies graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $70,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Charles Community College placed #8 among the best values for engineering technologies. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #9 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,089 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $64,395 early in their careers. Set against $9,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,335. Engineering Technologies graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $60,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,335 median debt.
State Fair Community College earned the #12 position for value in engineering technologies this year. State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $15,328. Engineering Technologies graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Turtle Mountain Community College earned the #13 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Belcourt, Turtle Mountain Community College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $2,794 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,079 ten years after entry.
Western Iowa Tech Community College placed #14 among the best values for engineering technologies. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Bismarck State College placed #15 among the best values for engineering technologies. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $12,485. Engineering Technologies graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $84,069 early in their careers. Set against $12,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College placed #16 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $34,099. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Moberly Area Community College came in at #17 for value in engineering technologies 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, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $12,507 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $44,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,967. Engineering Technologies graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,355 early in their careers. Set against $9,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College came in at #19 for value in engineering technologies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $35,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College placed #20 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $62,895. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,669 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $68,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,669 median debt.
South Central College landed the #22 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,546 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $56,238. That is a strong return on a $8,546 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #23 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $13,949. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $53,053. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Neosho County Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,704 in tuition and fees. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $13,209 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $44,672. That is a strong return on a $13,209 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering technologies this year:
Narrow Engineering Technologies Schools by State
More Engineering Technologies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 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.
