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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Mathematics Schools in the The Plains States Region

20 Colleges in the United States
$22,223 Avg Student Debt
$60,425 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Mathematics Badge [Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 166 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mathematics students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Mathematics Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mathematics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Mathematics Schools

1
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University tops our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools in the The Plains States Region. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $23,168. Mathematics graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn University earned it the #2 place for mathematics. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

A rank of #3 makes Grinnell College one of the best values for mathematics. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $38,888. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #4 place for mathematics. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $26,069. Mathematics graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $58,995 early in their careers. Set against $26,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for mathematics. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $21,143 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $31,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,143 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #6 for value in mathematics this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #7 position for value in mathematics this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $19,723. Mathematics graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $51,423 early in their careers. Set against $19,723 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #8 position for value in mathematics this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $22,095. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $58,153. Set against $22,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

9

Bemidji State University landed the #9 spot for mathematics value this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

10

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #10 position for value in mathematics this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $19,261. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $43,225. Set against $19,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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11

Emporia State University placed #11 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $59,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.

12

Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #12 spot for mathematics value this year. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $7,500 in tuition and fees. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Mathematics graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $49,717 early in their careers. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies admits about 88% of applicants.

13
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #13 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $27,000. Mathematics graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

14

Kansas State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $43,067. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

15

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #15 spot for mathematics value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

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16

Iowa State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $22,942 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $51,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

17

South Dakota State University earned the #17 position for value in mathematics this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $46,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

18

University Of North Dakota earned the #18 position for value in mathematics this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #19 among the best values for mathematics. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the mathematics program here. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $56,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

20
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #20 for value in mathematics this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $21,738. Early-career mathematics graduates make about $60,612. That is a strong return on a $21,738 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.

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21

Washington University In St Louis earned the #21 position for value in mathematics this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $18,700. Mathematics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $79,799 early in their careers. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.

22
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College placed #22 among the best values for mathematics. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $58,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.

23
Augsburg College crest
Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Students borrow a median of $26,452 to complete the mathematics program here. Mathematics graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $54,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,452 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

24

Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #24 for value in mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for mathematics graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.

25
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Mathematics graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mathematics degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Mathematics Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for mathematics this year:

26
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS
27
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN
28
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
29

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 166 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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