2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-medicine/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
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
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $88,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Kansas State University one of the best values for value. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $93,100. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for value. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Value graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $96,477. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,818. Early-career value graduates make about $96,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Value Schools by State
View All Value Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
