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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

3 Colleges in the United States
$24,901 Avg Student Debt
$58,506 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) 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.

College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.

What’s on this page:

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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

1

Washburn University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,638 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $39,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,908 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $29,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Dakota earned it the #4 place for value. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,110. Value graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Saint Louis University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $65,599. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

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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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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