2027 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Organizational Leadership](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/organizational-leadership/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong organizational leadership education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 76 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for organizational leadership students.
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2027 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in organizational leadership, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools
Truman State University tops our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $24,549 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $50,422 early in their careers. Set against $24,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Marys University Of Minnesota one of the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $29,482. Organizational Leadership graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $72,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $22,562 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $74,976. That is a strong return on a $22,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Wichita State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $24,450 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $63,281. Set against $24,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in organizational leadership will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $57,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Mitchell Technical Institute earned the #6 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Located in the town of Mitchell, Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,524. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $12,730. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Mitchell Technical Institute generally make around $47,686. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #7 among the best values for organizational leadership. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,572 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $84,980. Set against $20,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #8 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $64,967. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bemidji State University earned the #9 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $48,984. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $23,250. Organizational Leadership graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $55,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Minot State University came in at #11 for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $46,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Oglala Lakota College earned the #12 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the rural area of Kyle, Oglala Lakota College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,684. Graduates go on to earn a median of $22,517 ten years after entry.
Washburn University earned the #13 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $22,748 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies landed the #14 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $43,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #15 among the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $22,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $58,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Cottey College landed the #16 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Nevada. In-state tuition and fees average $27,562. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $12,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cottey College admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #17 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $21,469 in student loans. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $76,029. Set against $21,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Maharishi University Of Management came in at #18 for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Maharishi University Of Management is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,530 in tuition and fees. Organizational Leadership graduates of Maharishi University Of Management earn a median of $73,644 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Bellevue University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value organizational leadership schools. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $28,380. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $70,993. Set against $28,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Christian College Of Kansas placed #20 among the best values for organizational leadership. Located in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,000. Students borrow a median of $48,554 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Central Christian College Of Kansas generally make around $54,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University landed the #21 spot for organizational leadership value this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $49,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #22 position for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for organizational leadership graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, organizational leadership degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $75,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #23 for value in organizational leadership this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Organizational Leadership graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $57,021 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #24 among the best values for organizational leadership. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Organizational Leadership graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $54,835. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Avila University placed #25 among the best values for organizational leadership. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the organizational leadership program here. Early-career organizational leadership graduates make about $61,466. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Organizational Leadership Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in organizational leadership:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 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.