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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in the The Plains States Region

102 Colleges in the United States
$23,244 Avg Student Debt
$52,080 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Accounting Badge [Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 216 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value accounting schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Accounting Schools

1

Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among accounting schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $7,370. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Set against $7,370 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Williston State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,114. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $42,984. Set against $15,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $12,742. Early-career accounting graduates make about $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

A rank of #4 makes Ozarks Technical Community College one of the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,082. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $35,169. Set against $17,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colby Community College earned it the #5 place for accounting. Located in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $5,830. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,796. Accounting graduates of Colby Community College earn a median of $40,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Iowa Central Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,638 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Set against $12,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Saint Louis Community College earned the #7 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,424. Accounting graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $38,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.

8

North Hennepin Community College came in at #8 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $49,685. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.

10
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College earned the #10 position for value in accounting this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,332. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,996. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #11 spot for accounting value this year. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Accounting graduates carry a median of $19,624 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $24,726. That is a strong return on a $19,624 median debt.

12

Hawkeye Community College came in at #12 for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.

13
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College landed the #13 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Accounting 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.

14
College Of The Ozarks crest
College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks earned the #14 position for value in accounting this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.

15

Northeast Community College came in at #15 for value in accounting this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $40,568. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Des Moines Area Community College came in at #16 for value in accounting this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $47,400. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College earned the #17 position for value in accounting this year. 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 accounting graduates is $15,556. Early-career accounting graduates make about $42,178. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.

18
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $60,344. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

19

Dakota County Technical College earned the #19 position for value in accounting this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Students borrow a median of $21,469 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Dakota County Technical College generally make around $37,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Anoka Ramsey Community College landed the #20 spot for accounting value this year. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,682. Accounting graduates carry a median of $22,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $43,520. Set against $22,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

University Of Missouri St Louis placed #21 among the best values for accounting. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,300. Accounting graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $58,368 early in their careers. Set against $21,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

22

St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #22 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $16,734. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $48,652. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.

23
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College placed #23 among the best values for accounting. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,887. Accounting graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

University Of Minnesota Crookston landed the #24 spot for accounting value this year. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. Students from in state pay about $13,288 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,391 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $56,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,391 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

25

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #25 for value in accounting this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $63,460. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Accounting Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in accounting:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Lincoln University Missouri crest
Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO
47
48
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 216 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 102 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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