2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 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
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Truman State University the best value for a degree in value 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 value graduates is $23,168. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,262. Early-career value graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,577. Early-career value graduates make about $56,395. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
South Dakota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Winona State University landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Value graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $53,109. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Iowa earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Value graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #8 for value in value this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Bellevue University landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $61,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
