2026 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Mathematics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/mathematics-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 76 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mathematics education students.
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2026 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mathematics education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mathematics Education Schools
Truman State University tops our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools in the The Plains States Region. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $23,168. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,321. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Washburn University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.
Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mathematics education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $24,943. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $46,824. Set against $24,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics education will find it at Valley City State University, which ranked #4. Valley City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Valley City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Students borrow a median of $24,394 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $51,170 early in their careers. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics education will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #5. 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 mathematics education graduates is $22,145. Mathematics Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $47,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Peru State College landed the #6 spot for mathematics education value this year. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
Minot State University came in at #7 for value in mathematics education this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Students borrow a median of $28,324 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $44,973 early in their careers. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Mayville State University earned the #8 position for value in mathematics education this year. Mayville State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mayville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,979, compared with $11,237 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $47,650 early in their careers. Set against $27,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #9 position for value in mathematics education this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $37,042. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics 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 mathematics education graduates is $30,795. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $43,279. Set against $30,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Wayne State College landed the #11 spot for mathematics education value this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $25,957. Mathematics Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $42,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #12 for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $21,748 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,748 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,485 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $46,970. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University landed the #14 spot for mathematics education value this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $52,694. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #15 position for value in mathematics education this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $26,221. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $38,832. That is a strong return on a $26,221 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the mathematics education program here. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $51,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #17 for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the mathematics education program here. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $47,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #18 spot for mathematics education value this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $45,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #19 for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,741 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $37,460 early in their careers. Set against $25,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Bemidji State University earned the #20 position for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,389 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $45,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Iowa State University came in at #21 for value in mathematics education this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $47,559. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Northern State University earned the #22 position for value in mathematics education this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $26,143. Mathematics Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $45,824 early in their careers. Set against $26,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $29,026. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $54,835. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #24 for value in mathematics education this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $26,762. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $44,002. Set against $26,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #25 for value in mathematics education this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $29,750. Early-career mathematics education graduates make about $44,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mathematics education value ranking:
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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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
