by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in value, no school beat Crowder College this year. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Value graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,370. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for value. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $47,560. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Value graduates carry a median of $7,934 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $37,631. Set against $7,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colby Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,000. Early-career value graduates make about $36,184. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $26,355. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
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Moberly Area Community College came in at #6 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Value graduates carry a median of $12,507 in student loans. Value 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.
Northeast Community College placed #7 among the best values for value. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Value graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Value graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $34,363 early in their careers. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $15,779. Value graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #9 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,484. Value graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $31,017 early in their careers. Set against $11,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Value graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $39,833. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #11 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $17,029 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,171. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $37,141. Set against $14,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #13 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,392, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Iowa Lakes Community College earn a median of $46,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,876 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,118 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $32,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #15 for value in value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,252. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $38,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College earned the #16 position for value in value this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,255 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $36,866. That is a strong return on a $18,255 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #17 spot for value value this year. Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $38,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture came in at #19 for value in value this year. Located in the rural area of Curtis, Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,926. Value graduates carry a median of $12,625 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $32,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,250. Early-career value graduates make about $36,814. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Technical Institute placed #21 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,650. Value graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southeast Technical Institute generally make around $48,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
