2026 Best Value Research and Development Management Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Peru State College
Peru, NE

For return on investment in research and development management, no school beat Peru State College this year. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Students borrow a median of $25,815 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. Set against $25,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Students looking for strong value in research and development management will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. 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 research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $57,805. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.

3

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #3 place for research and development management. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,572 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. Set against $20,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #4 place for research and development management. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $21,469 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $76,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

5

Winona State University
Winona, MN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Winona State University earned it the #5 place for research and development management. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $49,552. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

6

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,950 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $61,700. That is a strong return on a $22,950 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.