2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 168 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
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2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Morris the best value for a degree in general psychology in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Students borrow a median of $22,341 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Morris earn a median of $36,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $32,224. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $11,937. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #6 position for value in general psychology this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. General Psychology graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $24,860 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,783. General Psychology graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $36,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #8 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $22,977 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $31,663 early in their careers. Set against $22,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,866. General Psychology graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College earned the #10 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #11 for value in general psychology this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $74,532. Set against $24,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #12 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $32,673 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #13 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $20,626 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $33,623. That is a strong return on a $20,626 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #14 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Southern State University placed #15 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $23,609 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $34,647 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn University earned the #17 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,249 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $38,264 early in their careers. Set against $25,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barton County Community College came in at #18 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $14,792. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $44,536. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
Peru State College earned the #19 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Students borrow a median of $25,716 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $32,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,716 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #20 spot for general psychology value this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,188. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $30,477. Set against $23,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $20,674. General Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,294 early in their careers. Set against $20,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Emporia State University earned the #22 position for value in general psychology this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $35,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Lincoln University Missouri landed the #23 spot for general psychology value this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Fort Hays State University came in at #24 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $40,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,203. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $34,226. Set against $24,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
Narrow General Psychology Schools by State
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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 · 168 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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.
