Cheapest Mechanical Engineering Colleges in Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University offers Minnesota's cheapest mechanical engineering program at just $14,485 net cost, undercutting the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities by nearly $3,000 despite both being public schools. This cost advantage matters significantly given Minnesota's strong manufacturing base, where companies like 3M and Medtronic actively recruit mechanical engineers. The state's six programs show a clear public-private divide, with private options like University of St Thomas reaching $30,525 annually while maintaining competitive graduate earnings around $68,000.

Programs

$14,485 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$65,792

Avg. Program Earnings

64.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Mechanical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
2	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
3	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
4	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
5	Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis, Minnesota	$27,023	$25,659	62.7%	98.0%
6	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $16,000 cost gap between Minnesota's cheapest and most expensive mechanical engineering programs?

Saint Cloud State's $14,485 net cost reflects its regional focus and lower overhead, while University of St Thomas charges $30,525 as a private institution with smaller class sizes. Both Minnesota State-Mankato and UMN-Duluth fall in the middle range around $18,500, showing public schools generally cluster together price-wise.

How do graduation rates compare across Minnesota's mechanical engineering programs?

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities leads with an 84.80% graduation rate, significantly higher than Saint Cloud State's 46.90% despite the lower cost. University of St Thomas achieves 75.20% graduation rates, justifying some of its higher tuition through student success metrics.

Does choosing a cheaper program affect earning potential for Minnesota mechanical engineers?

Starting salaries remain remarkably consistent across Minnesota programs, ranging from $63,377 to $68,101. Saint Cloud State graduates earn $63,377 despite the lowest tuition, while University of St Thomas leads at $68,101, suggesting employer focus on skills over school prestige.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.