2026 Best Value Marketing Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

For return on investment in marketing, no school beat Kirkwood Community College this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. That is a strong return on a $14,437 median debt.

2

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #2 place for marketing. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.

3

Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Students looking for strong value in marketing will find it at Century College, which ranked #3. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Marketing graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Garden City Community College
Garden City, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Garden City Community College earned it the #4 place for marketing. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,690, with out-of-state students paying around $4,320. Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $35,476. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

Students looking for strong value in marketing will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

6

University Of Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, MN

University Of Minnesota Crookston earned the #6 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $22,587. Marketing graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $44,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

St Cloud Technical And Community College
Saint Cloud, MN

St Cloud Technical And Community College placed #7 among the best values for marketing. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $16,734. Early-career marketing graduates make about $48,652. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,370 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $30,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Normandale Community College
Bloomington, MN

Normandale Community College came in at #9 for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Marketing graduates carry a median of $20,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. That is a strong return on a $20,162 median debt.

10

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #10 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $48,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

11

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University earned the #11 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,400 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $49,277. That is a strong return on a $23,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

12

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff
Poplar Bluff, MO

Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #12 for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, compared with $6,060 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $37,259. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.

13

Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College came in at #13 for value in marketing this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $13,532 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $46,473. That is a strong return on a $13,532 median debt.

14

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University earned the #14 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $20,250. Early-career marketing graduates make about $39,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

15

Washburn University
Topeka, KS

Washburn University earned the #15 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $47,963. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.

16

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #16 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Marketing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $59,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

17

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #17 for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Marketing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $48,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.

18

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #18 spot for marketing value this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $20,678 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $42,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

19

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Fort Hays State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value marketing schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $45,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.

20

Lake Area Technical Institute
Watertown, SD

Lake Area Technical Institute landed the #20 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $32,043 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.

21

Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University came in at #21 for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,950 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $43,070 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri landed the #22 spot for marketing value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $43,320. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #23 among the best values for marketing. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $21,893 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $48,204. Set against $21,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

24

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #24 position for value in marketing this year. 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, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $51,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in marketing this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the marketing program here. Marketing graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,815 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.