by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Crowder College tops our 2026 list of the best value value 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 value graduates is $9,887. Early-career value graduates make about $33,370. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jefferson College earned it the #2 place for value. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Value graduates carry a median of $7,934 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $37,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colby Community College earned it the #4 place for value. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,830. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Colby Community College earn a median of $36,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,886. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $26,355. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Moberly Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. Set against $12,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #7 for value in value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Value graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $34,363. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College placed #8 among the best values for value. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,484. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $31,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #10 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. Early-career value graduates make about $39,833. That is a strong return on a $14,348 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,029. Early-career value graduates make about $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Ridgewater College came in at #12 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Value graduates carry a median of $14,171 in student loans. Value graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $37,141 early in their careers. Set against $14,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Lakes Community College earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. 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. Early-career value graduates make about $46,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College placed #14 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Students borrow a median of $14,118 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $32,901. That is a strong return on a $14,118 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #15 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,252. Value graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $38,962 early in their careers. Set against $16,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota County Technical College came in at #16 for value in value this year. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Students borrow a median of $18,255 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $36,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Value graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Value graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for value. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $38,817 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt.
Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture placed #19 among the best values for value. Set in the rural area of Curtis, Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,926 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $12,625 in student loans. Value graduates of Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture earn a median of $32,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #20 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $36,814. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Southeast Technical Institute earned the #21 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,650. Value graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $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.
