2026 Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Forensic Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/forensic-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong forensic psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for forensic psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in forensic psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Forensic Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Missouri State University Springfield, our #1 best value for forensic psychology in the The Plains States Region. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in forensic psychology will find it at Capella University, which ranked #2. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $57,897. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
University Of North Dakota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forensic psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for forensic psychology graduates is $25,110. Forensic Psychology graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $71,018 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value forensic psychology schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for forensic psychology graduates is $17,553. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in forensic psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete the forensic psychology program here. Soon after graduation, forensic psychology degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. Set against $27,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #6 position for value in forensic psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Forensic Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career forensic psychology graduates make about $67,909. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
