2026 Best Value Adult & Continuing Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Park University
Parkville, MO

Our analysis ranked Park University the best value for a degree in adult & continuing education in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $25,732 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $36,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $21,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

3

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Adult & Continuing Education graduates carry a median of $24,999 in student loans. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

4

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

A rank of #4 makes Capella University one of the best values for adult & continuing education. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $65,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value adult & continuing education schools. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Students borrow a median of $28,279 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Early-career adult & continuing education graduates make about $42,471. Set against $28,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

6

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University placed #6 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Soon after graduation, adult & continuing education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $59,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7

Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College placed #7 among the best values for adult & continuing education. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for adult & continuing education graduates is $24,622. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

8

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University landed the #8 spot for adult & continuing education value this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the adult & continuing education program here. Adult & Continuing Education graduates of Drake University earn a median of $46,479 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.