2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Reading Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/reading-teacher-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong reading teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value reading teacher education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the reading teacher education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Kansas City the best value for a degree in reading teacher education in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in reading teacher education will find it at Washburn University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Reading Teacher 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.
Valley City State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $24,394. Reading Teacher 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. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in reading teacher education will find it at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $30,795 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher 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.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #6 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,748 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $34,206. Set against $21,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri placed #7 among the best values for reading teacher education. 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 reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $37,460 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #8 for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $26,221 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $38,832. Set against $26,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #9 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Southwest Minnesota State University earned the #10 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $47,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas placed #11 among the best values for reading teacher education. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $24,174. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $40,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University landed the #12 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $19,000. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Park University earned the #13 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $44,603. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #14 for value in reading teacher education this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $29,026. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $48,056. That is a strong return on a $29,026 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #15 among the best values for reading teacher education. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $30,294. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $39,237 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,294 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Capella University landed the #16 spot for reading teacher education value 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 reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Capella University earn a median of $92,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #17 for value in reading teacher education this year. 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, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $26,082. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,082 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Mary landed the #18 spot for reading teacher education value this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $43,299. Set against $27,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University earned the #19 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $39,580. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of North Dakota ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $56,934. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Evangel University placed #21 among the best values for reading teacher education. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Students borrow a median of $30,175 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $34,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $25,530. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $63,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #23 for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Reading Teacher Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $46,908 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Drury University earned the #24 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,745. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $37,267. That is a strong return on a $26,641 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Morningside College earned the #25 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,519 in tuition and fees. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $52,560. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s reading teacher education value ranking:
Narrow Reading Teacher Education Schools by State
More Reading Teacher Education Rankings
View All Reading Teacher Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 43 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.
