2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
North Central Missouri College tops our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools in the The Plains States Region. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $16,685. Teacher Education graduates of North Central Missouri College earn a median of $40,934 early in their careers. Set against $16,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $42,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at Missouri Southern State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,850. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $36,345. That is a strong return on a $21,850 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in teacher education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $24,199. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $38,947. Set against $24,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Missouri Western State University one of the best values for teacher education. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $21,352 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $33,695. Set against $21,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Emporia State University came in at #6 for value in teacher education this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $23,976. Teacher Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $47,799 early in their careers. Set against $23,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Sinte Gleska University earned the #7 position for value in teacher education this year. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,714. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,948.
Park University landed the #8 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,732 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Park University earn a median of $36,667 early in their careers. Set against $25,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #9 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $23,128 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $44,011 early in their careers. Set against $23,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northern State University earned the #10 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $24,242. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,824. Set against $24,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University came in at #11 for value in teacher education this year. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,312 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $42,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #12 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Hamline University landed the #13 spot for teacher education value this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $25,530. Teacher Education graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $59,462 early in their careers. Set against $25,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Iowa placed #14 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $45,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University earned the #15 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $39,941. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Simpson College came in at #16 for value in teacher education this year. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,656. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Simpson College generally make around $42,760. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University earned the #17 position for value in teacher education this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Saint Scholastica earned the #18 position for value in teacher education this year. The College Of Saint Scholastica is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Duluth. Students from in state pay about $41,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $22,495. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from The College Of Saint Scholastica generally make around $47,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Stephens College came in at #19 for value in teacher education this year. Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $28,300 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $33,326 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $55,458. Set against $33,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephens College admits about 77% of applicants.
Concordia University Seward earned the #20 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $47,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College South Dakota placed #21 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $50,088. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Cornell College came in at #22 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,000. Teacher Education graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $42,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Cornell College admits about 80% of applicants.
Dordt College placed #23 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,050. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $21,500. Teacher Education graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $39,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Missouri Baptist University placed #24 among the best values for teacher education. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $33,122 in tuition and fees. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,270. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Webster University landed the #25 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in teacher education:
Narrow Teacher Education Schools by State
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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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
