2026 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Organizational Leadership](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/organizational-leadership/) 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 88 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value organizational leadership schools.
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2026 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in organizational leadership, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools
Leading the list is Truman State University, our #1 best value for organizational leadership in the The Plains States Region. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $24,549. Organizational Leadership graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $50,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,549 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $19,500. Organizational Leadership graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $64,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $22,562 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $51,625. That is a strong return on a $22,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in organizational leadership will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $57,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in organizational leadership, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $24,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $63,281. That is a strong return on a $24,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #6 position for value in organizational leadership this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $20,572 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $84,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Mitchell Technical Institute placed #7 among the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,524 in tuition and fees. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of Mitchell Technical Institute earn a median of $47,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Washburn University earned the #8 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $22,748 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $55,229 early in their careers. Set against $22,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #9 for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $22,988. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $58,383. Set against $22,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Minot State University landed the #10 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $46,187. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Kansas came in at #11 for value in organizational leadership this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $21,469 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $76,029. That is a strong return on a $21,469 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Park University placed #12 among the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $18,586. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $60,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $55,517 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Oglala Lakota College came in at #14 for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,684 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $22,517.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies placed #15 among the best values for organizational leadership. Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $43,374 early in their careers. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $75,954. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Bemidji State University placed #17 among the best values for organizational leadership. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Calvary Bible College And Theological Seminary landed the #18 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Calvary Bible College And Theological Seminary is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,094. Organizational Leadership graduates of Calvary Bible College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $23,330 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Central Christian College Of Kansas came in at #19 for value in organizational leadership this year. Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McPherson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,000. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $48,554. Organizational Leadership graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $54,848 early in their careers. Set against $48,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Christian College Of Kansas admits about 53% of applicants.
Kansas State University earned the #20 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $66,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #21 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Organizational Leadership graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $72,666 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
College Of Saint Mary came in at #22 for value in organizational leadership this year. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,510. Students borrow a median of $25,539 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $69,603 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,539 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #23 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $57,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Graceland University Lamoni came in at #24 for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the rural area of Lamoni, Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,848. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $25,791 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $63,443. Set against $25,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Winona State University placed #25 among the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $49,552. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in organizational leadership:
Narrow Organizational Leadership Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
