2026 Best Value Health Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Health Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/health-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for health education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Health Education Schools
Valley City State University earned the #1 spot for value among health education schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Health Education graduates carry a median of $24,394 in student loans. Early-career health education graduates make about $48,241. That is a strong return on a $24,394 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Mayville State University one of the best values for health education. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $27,464. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $49,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $30,795. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $43,279. That is a strong return on a $30,795 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Emporia State University one of the best values for health education. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Health Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $52,694. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for health education. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $25,485. Health Education graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson State University placed #6 among the best values for health education. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Health Education graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Early-career health education graduates make about $51,049. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Health Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University landed the #8 spot for health education value this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Students borrow a median of $23,389 to complete the health education program here. Health Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $45,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #9 among the best values for health education. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Health Education graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Early-career health education graduates make about $54,835. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University came in at #10 for value in health education this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Health Education graduates carry a median of $26,762 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $53,109. Set against $26,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $44,850. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #12 for value in health education this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $28,000. Health Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $41,952 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $26,082. Early-career health education graduates make about $53,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Hastings College earned the #14 position for value in health education this year. Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hastings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,770. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $24,125. Early-career health education graduates make about $42,417. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Augsburg College earned the #15 position for value in health education this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $26,319. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $59,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augsburg College admits about 82% of applicants.
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #16 spot for health education value this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,160. Health Education graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Early-career health education graduates make about $50,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augustana College South Dakota admits about 68% of applicants.
Northwestern College Minnesota placed #17 among the best values for health education. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,920. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health education program here. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $40,191. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health education schools. Concordia College At Moorhead is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health education program here. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $44,611. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University placed #19 among the best values for health education. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $33,122. Health Education graduates carry a median of $27,337 in student loans. Health Education graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $45,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #20 among the best values for health education. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the health education program here. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $43,639. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #21 for value in health education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Typical student debt for health education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health education degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
Narrow Health Education Schools by State
More Health Education Rankings
View All Health Education Rankings >
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
