2026 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City tops our 2026 list of the best value urban & regional planning schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Students looking for strong value in urban & regional planning will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $63,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban & regional planning, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $52,241. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in urban & regional planning, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

5

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #5 place for urban & regional planning. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $49,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.