2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

Leading the list is University Of Nebraska At Omaha, our #1 best value for value in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Value graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $58,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,741. Value graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $49,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

3

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $52,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

4

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Value graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $92,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

5

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

A rank of #5 makes Southeast Missouri State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

6

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,608. Value graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $58,188 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

7

Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,112. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Park University generally make around $62,141. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,408. Early-career value graduates make about $42,399. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

9

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University placed #9 among the best values for value. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Value graduates of Capella University earn a median of $91,474 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University placed #10 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Value graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Value graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota came in at #11 for value in value this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,110. Value graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,701 early in their careers. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.

12

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota placed #12 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $67,719. Set against $26,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #13 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Value graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $68,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

14

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #14 for value in value this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Value graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Value graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $76,773 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

15

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University placed #15 among the best values for value. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $63,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.

16

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $67,297. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

17

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Creighton University landed the #17 spot for value value this year. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $48,856 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $64,369. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.