2026 Best Value Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Our analysis ranked Crowder College the best value for a degree in education in the The Plains States Region. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt for education graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $19,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Education graduates carry a median of $7,199 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. Set against $7,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Northeast Community College, which ranked #3. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,799 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $24,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA

Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

6

St Charles Community College
Cottleville, MO

St Charles Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,606. Early-career education graduates make about $47,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Colby Community College
Colby, KS

Colby Community College placed #7 among the best values for education. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,796 in student loans. Education graduates of Colby Community College earn a median of $40,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,796 median debt.

8

Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA

Indian Hills Community College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Education graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $49,626. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.

9

Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff, NE

Western Nebraska Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Dodge City Community College
Dodge City, KS

Dodge City Community College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.

11

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area placed #11 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,877. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.

12

North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, IA

North Iowa Area Community College came in at #12 for value in education this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.

13

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $10,119 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $21,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

Iowa Central Community College placed #14 among the best values for education. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,135 median debt.

15

University Of Minnesota Morris
Morris, MN

University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #15 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Education graduates carry a median of $24,767 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Morris earn a median of $46,414 early in their careers. Set against $24,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.

16

Moberly Area Community College
Moberly, MO

Moberly Area Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA

Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,995. Early-career education graduates make about $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Southwestern Community College Creston
Creston, IA

Southwestern Community College Creston earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,881. Early-career education graduates make about $46,106. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.

19

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Hawkeye Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College
Hibbing, MN

Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College placed #20 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.

21

Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN

Ridgewater College landed the #21 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,556. Education graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $42,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.

22

Highland Community College Highland
Highland, KS

Highland Community College Highland landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Highland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,495. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

23

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College placed #23 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

North Central Missouri College
Trenton, MO

North Central Missouri College placed #24 among the best values for education. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $40,934. Set against $16,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Oglala Lakota College
Kyle, SD

Oglala Lakota College came in at #25 for value in education this year. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kyle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,684. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $22,517.