2026 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Value](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/digital-marketing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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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
Wichita State University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,250. Value graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $39,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $48,990. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Park University one of the best values for value. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $52,616. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $48,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia College Missouri earned it the #5 place for value. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,599. Value graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $40,263 early in their careers. Set against $24,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
