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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

1 Colleges in the United States
$23,879 Avg Student Debt
$59,311 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/air-transportation/remote-aircraft-pilot/) 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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Value Schools

1

South Dakota State University tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Dakota earned it the #2 place for value. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $22,769 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $75,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,769 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.

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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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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