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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$21,592 Avg Student Debt
$54,356 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/digital-marketing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Value Schools

1

Wichita State University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,250. Value graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $39,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

2

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $48,990. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

3
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO

A rank of #3 makes Park University one of the best values for value. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $52,616. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia College Missouri earned it the #5 place for value. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,599. Value graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $40,263 early in their careers. Set against $24,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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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 · 10 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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