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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region

2 Colleges in the United States
$14,351 Avg Student Debt
$42,787 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.

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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Value Schools

1
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the The Plains States Region. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Value graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes Colby Community College one of the best values for value. Located in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $14,796 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $40,598. That is a strong return on a $14,796 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $104,847. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

4
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Century College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Value graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Value graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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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 · 30 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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