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2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

22 Ranked Colleges
2,950 Degrees Awarded
$23,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

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 Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 46,178 people earned their degree in mechanical engineering, making the major the 21st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, mechanical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $69,007 and had an average of $23,944 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,950 mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $67,644 and $25,449 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in mechanical engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great mechanical engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the mechanical engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Mechanical Engineering (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

1

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized public school situated in Rolla, Missouri. It awarded 272 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri University of Science and Technology also took the #3 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,964 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology

2

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Iowa State University is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 451 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 170 students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,998 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at North Dakota State University

4
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Dakota. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 112 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,966 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of North Dakota.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at UND

5

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #5 spot on the list. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 151 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k list, UNL has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $17,013 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 285 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

7
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #7, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 121 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k list, Iowa has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Iowa.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Iowa

8

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #8. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 168 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k list, Mizzou has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,559 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Mizzou.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at University of Missouri - Columbia

9
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #9. Kansas State University is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 182 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $18,433 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Kansas State University Mechanical Engineering Report

10
WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 102 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k list, WSU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $14,859 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at WSU

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 79 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $15,702 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMKC Mechanical Engineering Report

12
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #12, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 140 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $20,257 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Kansas.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Kansas Mechanical Engineering Report

13

With a ranking of #13, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Rapid City, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s ME degrees to 64 students in 2020-2021.

SD Mines also made our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $19,919 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend SD Mines.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

14
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State is $18,578 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota State

15

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 121 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #14 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of Minnesota - Duluth

16
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 36 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,581 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at St. Cloud State University

17
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #17 on this year’s Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UMSL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 27 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $12,232 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMSL Mechanical Engineering Report

18

With a ranking of #18, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s ME degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Minnesota State Mankato, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,159 for Plains States Region ME students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Minnesota State University - Mankato

19
UST MN crest
University of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #19 on this year’s Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. UST MN is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 105 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k list, UST MN has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $31,066 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend UST MN.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at University of St Thomas Minnesota

20
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

With a ranking of #20, Dordt University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This small school is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and it awarded 23 ’s ME degrees in 2020-2021.

Dordt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dordt is $24,313 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Mechanical Engineering at Dordt

21
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

With a ranking of #21, Saint Louis University did quite well on the 2023 Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s ME students in 2020-2021.

SLU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Louis University is $25,039 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at Saint Louis University

22
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Washington University in St Louis came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue ME Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 156 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $26,921 for plains states region me students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend WUSTL.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Mechanical Engineering at WUSTL

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