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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$22,961 Avg Student Debt
$62,453 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Actuarial Science Badge [Actuarial Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/actuarial-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for actuarial science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

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

Best Value Actuarial Science Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri St Louis the best value for a degree in actuarial science in the The Plains States Region. 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 actuarial science graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $74,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #2 place for actuarial science. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $24,250. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $75,137 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #3 place for actuarial science. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $53,900. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

4
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Iowa one of the best values for actuarial science. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $21,500. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $90,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.

5
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA

Students looking for strong value in actuarial science will find it at Cornell College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the actuarial science program here. Actuarial Science graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

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6
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University came in at #6 for value in actuarial science this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $23,979 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $80,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

7

University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #7 position for value in actuarial science this year. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $92,194 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.

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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 · 22 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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