2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Value Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Wichita State University the best value for a degree in value in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $39,512. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $48,990. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Southwest Minnesota State University, which ranked #3. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Value graduates carry a median of $23,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $47,898. That is a strong return on a $23,425 median debt. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Metropolitan State University, which ranked #4. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Value graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,250. Early-career value graduates make about $54,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Park University landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,112. Value graduates of Park University earn a median of $52,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
Columbia College Missouri ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,276. Value graduates carry a median of $24,599 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $40,263. Set against $24,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Students borrow a median of $24,877 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $42,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,877 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
