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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Science Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

20 Colleges in the United States
$25,334 Avg Student Debt
$54,880 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Science Education Badge [Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong science education education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools to find the best return on investment for science education students.

What’s on this page:

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

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the science education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Science Education Schools

1
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University tops our 2026 list of the best value science education schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Science Education graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for science education. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Students borrow a median of $24,943 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $46,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Students looking for strong value in science education will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #3. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $22,145. Early-career science education graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $22,145 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

4

Peru State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Science Education graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Minot State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Students borrow a median of $28,324 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Science Education graduates carry a median of $21,748 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $34,206. Set against $21,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

7

Wayne State College landed the #7 spot for science education value this year. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,957. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $42,589. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.

8

Emporia State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $22,500. Science Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $46,440 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.

9

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $46,970. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

10

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. 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 science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $26,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Dickinson State University earned the #11 position for value in science education this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.

12

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #12 for value in science education this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $45,786. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #13 for value in science education this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Science Education graduates carry a median of $26,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $49,697. That is a strong return on a $26,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

Bemidji State University earned the #14 position for value in science education this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $23,389. Early-career science education graduates make about $45,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

15

Iowa State University earned the #15 position for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Science Education graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Winona State University came in at #16 for value in science education this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,762. Science Education graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,762 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

17

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $30,294 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $39,237 early in their careers. Set against $30,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #18 for value in science 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, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $41,952. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of North Dakota landed the #19 spot for science education value this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,110. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $56,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.

20
Buena Vista University crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University came in at #20 for value in science education this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Students borrow a median of $29,008 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.

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21

Martin Luther College landed the #21 spot for science education value this year. Located in the town of New Ulm, Martin Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,120. Students borrow a median of $20,224 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science 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.

22
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University earned the #22 position for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $63,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.

23
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #23 spot for science education value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $46,908. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

24

Southwest Baptist University earned the #24 position for value in science education this year. Set in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,566. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,762. Early-career science education graduates make about $49,135. Set against $25,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

25
Hastings College crest
Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Hastings College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,770. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Hastings College generally make around $42,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Science Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s science education value ranking:

26
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN
27
28
29
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA
30
31
32
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
33

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 52 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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