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

1

Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, KS

Hutchinson Community College earned the #1 spot for value among 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, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $51,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Area earned it the #2 place for health professions. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,710 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $59,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $14,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $50,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Dodge City Community College
Dodge City, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dodge City Community College earned it the #4 place for health professions. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, compared with $5,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.

5

Salina Area Technical College
Salina, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salina Area Technical College earned it the #5 place for health professions. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,128. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $38,440. Set against $17,124 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School
Liberal, KS

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School came in at #6 for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,350. Early-career health professions graduates make about $53,375. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.

7

Pratt Community College
Pratt, KS

Pratt Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $4,936. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,981 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $61,703. Set against $15,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Saint Louis Community College
Bridgeton, MO

Saint Louis Community College placed #8 among the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Students borrow a median of $15,209 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $61,881. Set against $15,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Crowder College landed the #9 spot for health professions value this year. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $14,584. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $58,590. That is a strong return on a $14,584 median debt.

10

Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff, NE

Western Nebraska Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,200 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,200 median debt.

11

Fort Scott Community College
Fort Scott, KS

Fort Scott Community College placed #11 among the best values for health professions. Set in the town of Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $23,832 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $55,847. Set against $23,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Garden City Community College
Garden City, KS

Garden City Community College placed #12 among the best values for health professions. Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Garden City Community College generally make around $61,593. Set against $16,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Cowley County Community College
Arkansas City, KS

Cowley County Community College earned the #13 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $9,312. Early-career health professions graduates make about $34,099. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.

14

Coffeyville Community College
Coffeyville, KS

Coffeyville Community College came in at #14 for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $62,328. That is a strong return on a $17,677 median debt.

15

Neosho County Community College
Chanute, KS

Neosho County Community College placed #15 among the best values for health professions. Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chanute. In-state tuition and fees average $4,704. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,810. Health Professions graduates of Neosho County Community College earn a median of $61,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Allen County Community College
Iola, KS

Allen County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the town of Iola, Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,260, with out-of-state students paying around $4,860. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,032 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Allen County Community College generally make around $25,323. That is a strong return on a $10,032 median debt.

17

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $19,392 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $56,263. Set against $19,392 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

St Charles Community College
Cottleville, MO

St Charles Community College placed #18 among the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $18,712 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $68,488 early in their careers. Set against $18,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Southeast Community College Area placed #19 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Students borrow a median of $20,623 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $53,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Independence Community College
Independence, KS

Independence Community College placed #20 among the best values for health professions. Set in the rural area of Independence, Independence Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $7,302. Health Professions graduates of Independence Community College earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Set against $7,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Northeast Community College placed #21 among the best values for health professions. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $14,702. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $54,805. Set against $14,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA

Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #22 for value in health professions this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $15,304 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $46,775 early in their careers. Set against $15,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

Century College earned the #23 position for value in health professions this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $26,093 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $59,146. Set against $26,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Highland Community College Highland
Highland, KS

Highland Community College Highland earned the #24 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the rural area of Highland, Highland Community College Highland is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,495. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Highland Community College Highland generally make around $22,909. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

25

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #25 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $18,143 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $46,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,143 median debt.