2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Highland Community College Highland
Highland, KS

Leading the list is Highland Community College Highland, our #1 best value for general education in the The Plains States Region. Set in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,495 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Hibbing, MN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned it the #2 place for general education. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,029. General Education graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

A rank of #3 makes Missouri University Of Science And Technology one of the best values for general education. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $74,532. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

4

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $33,449 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,247. Set against $33,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

5

Barton County Community College
Great Bend, KS

A rank of #5 makes Barton County Community College one of the best values for general education. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,792. General Education graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $44,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.

6

Mayville State University
Mayville, ND

Mayville State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,971. That is a strong return on a $27,464 median debt.

7

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Fort Hays State University earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $50,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

8

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $55,867. That is a strong return on a $27,016 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

9

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,543. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

10

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University placed #10 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.

11

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies
Fayette, MO

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $38,945. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,551. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.

13

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $74,309. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,624. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $50,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.

15

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. General Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $51,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

16

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,818. General Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

17

Harris Stowe State University
Saint Louis, MO

Harris Stowe State University placed #17 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,478 in student loans. General Education graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $28,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,478 median debt.

18

Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS

Tabor College came in at #18 for value in general education this year. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $36,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,058. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

19

Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO

Fontbonne University earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $29,976. General Education graduates carry a median of $33,503 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Fontbonne University generally make around $41,164. That is a strong return on a $33,503 median debt.

20

Martin Luther College
New Ulm, MN

Martin Luther College came in at #20 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,120. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,224. Early-career general education graduates make about $31,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Martin Luther College admits about 87% of applicants.

21

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Winona, MN

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #21 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,081. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $59,959. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

22

York College Nebraska
York, NE

York College Nebraska landed the #22 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of York, York College Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $28,370. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from York College Nebraska generally make around $34,170. That is a strong return on a $28,370 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

23

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $52,452. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

24

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $58,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

25

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis placed #25 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,553. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.