2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Crowder College earned the #1 spot for value among engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $9,887. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,869. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City, which ranked #3. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #4 place for engineering. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,866. Early-career engineering graduates make about $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,507 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.
Jefferson College landed the #6 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #7 among the best values for engineering. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,029. Engineering graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #8 spot for engineering value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Anoka Ramsey Community College placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $22,593. Early-career engineering graduates make about $44,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College placed #10 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,583 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $18,197. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,972. Set against $18,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Normandale Community College placed #12 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,162 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $53,871. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central College landed the #13 spot for engineering value this year. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,062. Engineering graduates of East Central College earn a median of $37,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $25,808. Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $78,108 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #15 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,233 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $70,697. Set against $25,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #16 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $27,781. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $78,253. Set against $27,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #17 for value in engineering this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,496. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #18 spot for engineering value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $77,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Wichita State University earned the #19 position for value in engineering this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,399 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $71,430. That is a strong return on a $24,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
William Jewell College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Liberty, William Jewell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,610. Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from William Jewell College generally make around $48,588. Set against $25,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,854. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Butler Community College landed the #22 spot for engineering value this year. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,670. Engineering graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,817 in student loans. Engineering graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $73,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,817 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Kansas placed #24 among the best values for engineering. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,110. Engineering graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $74,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,110 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #25 for value in engineering this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $76,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
Narrow Engineering Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
