2027 Best Value Accounting Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 116 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for accounting students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Accounting Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Accounting Schools
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in accounting in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Accounting graduates carry a median of $7,370 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williston State College earned it the #2 place for accounting. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,114. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $42,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,742 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $35,742. That is a strong return on a $12,742 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Nebraska Community College earned it the #4 place for accounting. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $62,413. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $12,638 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. That is a strong return on a $12,638 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College earned the #6 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #7 for value in accounting this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,001. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #9 for value in accounting this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,424. Early-career accounting graduates make about $38,999. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #10 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $35,169. Set against $17,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #12 spot for accounting value this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees. Accounting graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $48,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #13 position for value in accounting 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. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #14 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $47,400. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Accounting graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
Ridgewater College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $42,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,556 median debt.
Northeast Community College placed #17 among the best values for accounting. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,937. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College placed #18 among the best values for accounting. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $46,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College came in at #19 for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $13,664. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $15,390. Accounting graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hennepin Technical College placed #21 among the best values for accounting. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Accounting graduates carry a median of $17,887 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. Set against $17,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Accounting graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $63,460. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #23 for value in accounting this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $21,241. Early-career accounting graduates make about $49,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #24 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $60,848. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #25 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, compared with $6,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,350 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,259. Set against $11,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Accounting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in accounting:
Narrow Accounting Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 116 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.
