2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Pre-Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/pre-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for pre-engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pre-engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked St Charles Community College the best value for a degree in pre-engineering in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College one of the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Century College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $15,583. Pre-Engineering graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,583 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in pre-engineering will find it at Minnesota State Community And Technical College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,908. Students borrow a median of $18,197 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $42,972. Set against $18,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Normandale Community College one of the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $20,162. Pre-Engineering graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler Community College placed #6 among the best values for pre-engineering. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 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.
