2026 Best Science & Tech Schools in The Plains States
Looking for the best Science & Tech degree programs in The Plains States? This list ranks 480 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed 404 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Science & Tech Degree Schools in The Plains States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is College Of Saint Benedict, our #1 Science & Tech school in The Plains States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Joseph, MN. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,756. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,619. Get the full College Of Saint Benedict report
The strong Science & Tech programs at Washington University In St Louis earned it the #2 place in The Plains States. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Saint Johns University came in at #3 on this year's Science & Tech ranking in The Plains States. Based in Collegeville, MN, Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Johns University graduates 75% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,816. Saint Johns University Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,646 in debt. Get the full Saint Johns University report
You'll be in good company at Valley City State University, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Valley City, ND, Valley City State University is a public institution. Valley City State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about Valley City State University
Carleton College came in at #5 on this year's Science & Tech ranking in The Plains States. Located in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. Carleton College Science & Tech students take on a median of $17,566 in debt. Read more about Carleton College
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #6 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. Based in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. The median Science & Tech program debt is $23,923. More on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #7 spot in The Plains States this year. This public school is set in Coon Rapids, MN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. The median Science & Tech program debt is $22,593. Read more about Anoka Ramsey Community College
Bismarck State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. See the full Bismarck State College profile
Northwestern College Iowa landed the #9 spot in The Plains States this year. Based in Orange City, IA, Northwestern College Iowa is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern College Iowa graduates 66% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Get the full Northwestern College Iowa report
Grinnell College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Grinnell, IA, Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Grinnell College graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. See the full Grinnell College profile
Drake University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $22,273. Get the full Drake University report
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. University Of Missouri Columbia Science & Tech students take on a median of $21,818 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Mount Marty College placed #13 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Yankton, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,600. The median Science & Tech program debt is $27,000. See the full Mount Marty College profile
Macalester College placed #14 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Macalester College Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,147 in debt. More on Macalester College
Bellevue University landed the #15 spot in The Plains States this year. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bellevue, NE. About 33% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,873. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $27,852. More on Bellevue University
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Saint Peter, MN, Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $56,076. Gustavus Adolphus College Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,197 in debt. Get the full Gustavus Adolphus College report
Iowa State University placed #17 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Iowa State University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #18 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. About 67% of students finish within six years. 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 $22,386 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
St Olaf College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Northfield, MN, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Get the full St Olaf College report
North Hennepin Community College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Brooklyn Park, MN, North Hennepin Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. The median Science & Tech program debt is $21,241. Read the full report on North Hennepin Community College
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. University Of Northern Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
Missouri University Of Science And Technology placed #22 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Missouri University Of Science And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Missouri University Of Science And Technology Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,187 in debt. Get the full Missouri University Of Science And Technology report
Winona State University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Read more about Winona State University
Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #24 spot in The Plains States this year. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $27,477. Graduates carry a median of $18,973 in student loans. Read the full report on Dunwoody College Of Technology
Concordia College At Moorhead placed #25 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. Located in Moorhead, MN, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,637. More on Concordia College At Moorhead
Rest of the Top 50 Best Science & Tech Degree Schools in The Plains States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #26 spot in The Plains States this year. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,160. Graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Get the full Augustana College South Dakota report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. The median Science & Tech program debt is $21,577. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Normandale Community College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Set in Bloomington, MN, Normandale Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,329. Students borrow a median of $20,162 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Normandale Community College
Simpson College landed the #29 spot in The Plains States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Indianola, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,656. Students borrow a median of $26,816 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Simpson College
Bemidji State University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $25,819. Get the full Bemidji State University report
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #31 position. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,463. See the full University Of Iowa profile
Rasmussen College Minnesota landed the #32 spot in The Plains States this year. Based in St. Cloud, MN, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,199 in tuition and fees. Rasmussen College Minnesota Science & Tech students take on a median of $28,723 in debt. Read more about Rasmussen College Minnesota
University Of Mary placed #33 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bismarck, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,356. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,983. See the full University Of Mary profile
Ranken Technical College placed #34 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Ranken Technical College graduates 31% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,008. The median Science & Tech program debt is $13,989. See the full Ranken Technical College profile
Bethel University Minnesota ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,226. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,639. More on Bethel University Minnesota
Wartburg College placed #36 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. Set in Waverly, IA, Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,793. Read the full report on Wartburg College
Northwest Iowa Community College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Northwest Iowa Community College is a public school based in Sheldon, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. The median Science & Tech program debt is $12,271. See the full Northwest Iowa Community College profile
Luther College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Decorah, IA, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $52,120 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,967. See the full Luther College profile
South Dakota State University landed the #39 spot in The Plains States this year. This public school is set in Brookings, SD. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about South Dakota State University
Southwestern College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Located in Winfield, KS, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 36% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. Students borrow a median of $26,874 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about Southwestern College
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $25,153. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #42 spot in The Plains States this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public school based in Alexandria, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,236. The median Science & Tech program debt is $14,054. Read the full report on Alexandria Technical And Community College
University Of Minnesota Crookston ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Crookston, MN, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Crookston posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,288. Graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Crookston
Northern State University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Based in Aberdeen, SD, Northern State University is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,845 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,143. Read more about Northern State University
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #45 spot in The Plains States this year. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato
Johnson County Community College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Based in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Johnson County Community College
Dakota State University placed #47 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. Dakota State University is a public school based in Madison, SD. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Students borrow a median of $28,724 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Dakota State University profile
Creighton University placed #48 among Science & Tech schools in The Plains States. Based in Omaha, NE, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. Creighton University Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,831 in debt. See the full Creighton University profile
Kansas State University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Kansas State University Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,546 in debt. Read the full report on Kansas State University
Loras College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Loras College is a private not-for-profit school based in Dubuque, IA. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,824. Loras College Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,528 in debt. See the full Loras College profile
More Science & Tech Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Region · 404 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 480 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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