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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 200,458 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, engineering is the 6th most popular major in the United States. 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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great engineering programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The engineering school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

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 $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 295 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $48-$75k list, WUSTL has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. 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

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized public school situated in Rolla, Missouri. It awarded 241 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $48-$75k 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $30,943, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology

#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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State are $25,948, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at Iowa State University

#4

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#4 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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #4 spot on the 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.

Read more about Engineering at UMN Twin Cities

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 masters’s 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 University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Missouri - Columbia

#16 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 28 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #16 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 UMN Duluth are $28,606.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, 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 $48-$75k list. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 120 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNL has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska - Lincoln are $19,513, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Engineering at UNL

#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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 27 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Saint Cloud State University Engineering Report

#9

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#13 in overall quality

University of North Dakota landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 36 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Engineering at UND

#8 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University are $11,589.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Engineering Report

#11

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, 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 $48-$75k list. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 72 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

K -State also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at K -State are $24,115, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Kansas State University Engineering Report

#12

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, 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 $48-$75k list. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 69 students in 2019-2020.

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 Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Engineering at Iowa

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 9 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $48-$75k 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 more about Engineering at Minnesota State Mankato

#14

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Wichita State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wichita State University is a fairly large public school situated in Wichita, Kansas. It awarded 107 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WSU are $15,112.

Read more about Engineering at Wichita State University

#15

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
#20 in overall quality

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Central Missouri is a medium-sized public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 23 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Full UCM Engineering Report

#16

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#15 in overall quality

South Dakota State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s engineering degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree engineering students whose families make $48-$75k list, South Dakota State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State are $16,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Engineering at South Dakota State University

#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 $48-$75k list. UMKC is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMKC, the school also landed 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 University of Missouri - Kansas City are $26,699.

Read more about Engineering at UMKC

#18

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#11 in overall quality

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 68 masters’s engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

KU also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Kansas

#12 in overall quality

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. SD Mines is a small school located in Rapid City, South Dakota that handed out 59 masters’s engineering degrees 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. 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 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

#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 $48-$75k list. Saint Louis University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

SLU also made our “Best Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Engineering at Saint Louis University

#21

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Engineering Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UST MN is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 69 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of St Thomas Minnesota are $24,814.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Engineering Report

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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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