2026 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Allied Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 181 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for allied health professions students.
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2026 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in allied health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools
Hutchinson Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $21,917. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $54,878. That is a strong return on a $21,917 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #2 place for allied health professions. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the allied health professions program here. Allied Health Professions graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $53,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in allied health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the allied health professions program here. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in allied health professions, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #5 place for allied health professions. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $9,887. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,869. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #6 for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $19,246. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $56,569. That is a strong return on a $19,246 median debt.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School placed #7 among the best values for allied health professions. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Allied Health Professions graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #8 position for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,935 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $43,254. Set against $7,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $20,837. Allied Health Professions graduates of Century College earn a median of $65,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $17,713. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $48,917. Set against $17,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College came in at #11 for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $9,312. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $34,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #12 position for value in allied health professions this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $14,843 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $51,901. Set against $14,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College placed #13 among the best values for allied health professions. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $7,250. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $46,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Plains Community College placed #14 among the best values for allied health professions. Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North Platte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Mid Plains Community College generally make around $39,396. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College placed #15 among the best values for allied health professions. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the allied health professions program here. Allied Health Professions graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $43,781 early in their careers. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #16 position for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $17,001. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $55,987. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
Labette Community College earned the #17 position for value in allied health professions this year. Located in the town of Parsons, Labette Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,064, while out-of-state students pay about $4,864. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the allied health professions program here. Allied Health Professions graduates of Labette Community College earn a median of $53,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $21,000. Allied Health Professions graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $52,138 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College earned the #19 position for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,297. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moberly Area Community College came in at #20 for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $12,507. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $44,755. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College placed #21 among the best values for allied health professions. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $20,096 to complete the allied health professions program here. Allied Health Professions graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $48,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,096 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #22 for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $21,945 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $52,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College placed #23 among the best values for allied health professions. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,186 in student loans. Allied Health Professions graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $50,501 early in their careers. Set against $15,186 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $40,568. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Bismarck State College placed #25 among the best values for allied health professions. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the allied health professions program here. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $61,364. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in allied health professions:
Narrow Allied Health Professions Schools by State
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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 · 181 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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.