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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

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 $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 200,458 engineering students received their degree, making the major the 6th most popular in the country. 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.

This year’s “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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 program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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.

Read full report on Engineering at Washington University in St Louis

#3 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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Rolla, Missouri, and it awarded 241 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri University of Science and Technology also took the #3 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $30,943, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about 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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 253 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Engineering Report

#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 #4 for the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UMN Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 28 masters’s 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Duluth are $28,606.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 248 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State University are $25,948, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at Iowa State University

#9 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 37 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also took 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 Mizzou are $27,193.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Engineering Report

#7

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#19 in overall quality

Saint Cloud State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified masters’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #19 rank 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 full report on Engineering at St. Cloud State University

#5 in overall quality

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 120 diplomas to qualified masters’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

UNL also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNL are $19,513, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at UNL

#8 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 51 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. 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 ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UND is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 36 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, UND has also earned the #13 rank 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at UND

#11

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#10 in overall quality

Kansas State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kansas State University is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 72 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

K -State also took 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 full report on Engineering at K -State

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Engineering at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#13

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Dakota State is a public institution located in Brookings, South Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 35 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, South Dakota State has also earned the #15 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 South Dakota State are $16,743.

Read full report on Engineering at South Dakota State

#14

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#17 in overall quality

Wichita State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Wichita, Kansas, this fairly large public school handed out 107 degrees to qualified masters’s engineering students in 2019-2020.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wichita State University Engineering Report

#15

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

University of Iowa ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 69 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at Iowa

#16

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Central Missouri did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCM is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCM has also earned the #20 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 University of Central Missouri are $16,394.

Read more about Engineering at University of Central Missouri

#17

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 82 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMKC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Engineering Report

#12 in overall quality

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SD Mines, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SD Mines are $19,250, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

#19

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#11 in overall quality

University of Kansas ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. KU is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 68 masters’s degrees 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 University of Kansas are $25,007, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at KU

#20

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

Saint Louis University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 29 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, SLU has also earned the #14 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 SLU are $22,074.

Full SLU Engineering Report

#21

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

University of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of St Thomas Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 69 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

UST MN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. 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 UST MN

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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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