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2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

21 Ranked Colleges
1,961 Degrees Awarded
$23,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Engineering is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 6th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 200,458 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $64,888 and had an average of $23,564 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 12,638 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $63,836 and $23,524 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,961 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 295 students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Washington University in St Louis Engineering Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is located in Rolla, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 241 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Missouri University of Science and Technology has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $30,943.

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

#3

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 253 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Engineering Report

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 248 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa State also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State are $25,948.

Read full report on Engineering at Iowa State

#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a fairly large school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 28 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Duluth are $28,606, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Engineering at UMN Duluth

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 120 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNL has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNL are $19,513.

Full UNL Engineering Report

#9 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193.

Read more about Engineering at Mizzou

#8

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#19 in overall quality

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 27 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also took the #19 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at St. Cloud State University

#8 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 51 students in 2019-2020.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University - Main Campus are $11,589, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Engineering Report

#10

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#13 in overall quality

University of North Dakota landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 36 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also took the #13 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Engineering at UND

#11

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 69 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at University of Iowa

#12

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 72 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at K -State are $24,115, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at Kansas State University

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788.

Read full report on Engineering at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#14

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#15 in overall quality

South Dakota State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

South Dakota State also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State University are $16,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at South Dakota State

#15

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#17 in overall quality

Wichita State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WSU is a fairly large public school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 107 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112.

Full Wichita State University Engineering Report

#16

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

University of Central Missouri landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified masters’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

UCM also took the #20 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCM are $16,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at University of Central Missouri

#17

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 82 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699.

Read more about Engineering at UMKC

#18

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 68 students in 2019-2020.

KU also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Kansas

#12 in overall quality

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Rapid City, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.

SD Mines also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SD Mines are $19,250.

Read full report on Engineering at SD Mines

#20

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

Saint Louis University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SLU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $0-$30k list, SLU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SLU Engineering Report

#21

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. UST MN is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 69 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UST MN also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of St Thomas Minnesota are $24,814, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at University of St Thomas Minnesota

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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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